MANDATORY REHAB MAY HELP KIDS LIKE OURS

Re: Tougher sentences (NEWS letters, Sept. 4).

I might have agreed with the author of this letter a year ago, but it is
obvious this writer does not have any understanding of how addictive drugs
are to our children, as I among many parents have no understanding of a
drug addict.

I am the parent of a crystal meth user and I have watched the progression
of the harm this drug has done to our daughter. We are responsible working
parents, but had no idea four or five years ago our daughter would be
addicted to crystal meth.

The author is correct, drugs do lead to crime and our system is not
supportive in penalizing crime. I have watched the system work, or I will
say not work, for the past year.

We as society and a community have got to recognize that our drug problem
has to be addressed. It will not go away. We need to be able in the court
systems to detain youths and adults in a rehabilitation house until they
are clean.

Jails are not the answer. Probation officers have no authority except to
put out warrants if the person does not show up and that again costs us
taxpayers more money. We could employ councillors, doctors for the monies
we are wasting in our courts.

Coleen Sloboda, Lions Bay