CASH AIDS DRUG DEALERS, NOT PANHANDLERS

The picture with the July 7 letters was either a poor choice, or a good
choice, depending on your point of view.

A poor choice for those people who think their donations to street people
go toward life's necessities. How disillusioning.

A good choice for reinforcing the belief that any donations go toward drugs
or alcohol. Who is paying for the joint the young person is smoking?

It is time to put our money where it would do some good. Food banks could
do a lot more with all the spare change that ends up in the dealers'
pockets. Give a food voucher, a coupon for fast food, some fresh fruit or a
credit note for the Salvation Army store, but never cash.

Don't add to the problem. Think of alternate, healthy ways to help.
Providing free drugs is not the answer.

Natalie Speckmaier

Vancouver