DRUGS AND THE CANADIAN FORCES

Re "Drug use nightmare for Canadian forces" (Nov. 15): The DND is
afraid that our troops stationed in Afghanistan may end up partaking
in cheap and readily available drugs.

You know, if I was a serviceman sent to the other side of the world --
who had to borrow enough uniforms to fill my pack, drive around in
deathtrap vehicles, and worry about my family at home living in
frigid, mould-infested slums and visiting food banks for groceries,
I'd probably be inclined to partake, out of sheer despair.

That's just me.

However, I think it's extremely unlikey that our soldiers would -- for
two reasons.

One -- the people we've sent over there have both honour and
integrity, traits sadly missing in their masters in Ottawa. Two -- the
government doesn't pay soldiers enough to be able to afford drugs
after paying inflated rents and struggling to put food on their tables.

Mr. Martin and Co., you should be ashamed.

Peter Nebelung

Mississauga

(And you should try not to be so cynical, though heaven knows the feds
make it easy)