'SOFT' LAWS FRUSTRATE

It has been reported a second Canadian case of vigilantism has taken
place in Merritt, where someone has attempted to burn down a drug
house. Little has been said about the case in the news except to say
it was not the first attempt on that address, that it is not a
recommended course of action and that police will not tolerate such activity.

To me it is a clear sign of Canadians' growing intolerance of a lack
and luster legal system caused by a soft approach to the drug trade
in this country.

The drug trade is no doubt the largest scourge to society this
country has ever known. The drug trade fuels organized crime,
illegal gun trade and auto crime. Drugs drive people to commit armed
robberies, break and entries, home invasions, violent purse
snatchings, drive-by shootings, gun battles in our streets and
murders. The drug trade is responsible for luring otherwise
law-abiding business owners into money laundering, running chop
shops and selling contraband in their store fronts.

Drugs entrap young women and men into prostitution, drive them to
run away from loving homes to a life of abuse and crime on the
streets of our cities and towns. Illegal drugs destroy lives and
tear loving families apart.

Too often, we the voters of Canada see reports of those indicted by
police for drug-related offences being sent back to the streets
almost before the arresting police officer completes the paperwork;
the so-called revolving-door system.

Indeed, right here in this city, police recently arrested one young
offender who was already awaiting trial for drug trafficking twice
in a single day in the same drug house for drug trafficking.

Those who act so aggressively against alleged drug houses are not
trying to break the laws of this land, rather they are frustrated
mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles
desperate to do anything to try to help their stricken family
members escape the heartless drug pushers.

I write to implore your readers to take action by making demands of
our federal politicians, Dick Harris and Jay Hill, to serve their
constituents, not dictate to them, and to instruct judges to impose
stiffer maximum sentences on those indicted for drug-related
offences and violent crimes and take back our streets.

Ian Wilson, Prince George