TOSS ADDICTS IN JAIL

As complex as the drug problem may seem there really is a simple solution.

We have tried law enforcement, drug education, support services, needle
exchanges and so on. None have worked. Canada continues to spends millions
in the war against drugs in a losing cause.

In Greater Victoria authorities estimate a IV drug population of 2000. Law
enforcement chases them from Centennial Square to Fernwood to the civic
parkade. It's a costly game of musical chairs.

The solution? Put drug traffickers in jail for life - zero tolerance. Japan
did it with remarkable success. When drugs are no longer available
youngsters won't be able to experiment with drug abuse.

And the millions of dollars spent on non-productive programs of drug
enforcement could go to health care and education.

The reason it will never happen is that the do-gooders and bleeding hearts
will say that you can't put a fist offence drug trafficker in prison for
life because that contravenes the individual's Freedom of Rights.

But unlike an imprisoned drug trafficker, the addict has no guarantee of
three meals a day and a warm bed at night. What a shame we haven't the
courage to introduce such a lifesaving program.

Bob Thompson

Saanich