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Federal Tories want mandatory jail time for dealers: Canada

by Barry ORegan | March 2, 2009 at 07:07 am

235 views | 14 Recommendations | 8 comments

Barry Artiste Op/Ed

Certainly a step in the right direction, lets hope it begins immediately. Let's hope the Liberal Dominated Senate which previously stonewalled past Conservative Crime Bills gets some common sense and passes it.

Tories want mandatory jail time for dealers

Updated: Sat Feb. 28 2009 11:26:26

ctvbc.ca

The Conservative government continued its law-and-order blitz Friday by reintroducing tougher penalties for drug offences.

The changes came a day after Ottawa announced Criminal Code amendments aimed at gang violence.

But a veteran defence lawyer gave the government's lock 'em up strategy a failing grade, saying it doesn't get at the roots of gangsterism -- alienated young people and widespread demand for illegal drugs.

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eastvanray

at 11:07 on March 2nd, 2009

I guess it can't make things any worse although I am not convinced it will be any deterrant.

Barry ORegan

at 19:17 on March 2nd, 2009

I dunno guys, Dealers like their freedom and Bling, take it all away for 10 to 20 years, and that seems like a nice deterrent. And if theyre pretty so much the better!

eastvanray

at 22:03 on March 2nd, 2009

The problem is that criminals use a different algorithym to price risk. Look at the US where they hand out life sentences (REAL life sentences) for repeat trafficing. Have you noticed fewer people willing to enter the drug dealing business? Prison will take them out of society but thousands line up to take their place. It's all about the money. These people do not enter into the biz caring about the punishment: it's the reward that motivates them. They are like the rats that choose between hitting the bar that delivers food and the bar that delivers cocaine. I am sure you are familiar with that study. Money, power and so-called respect is their cociane. They will hit that bar until they die. Meanwhile we can take a US approach and spend $60k/year each to give them 3 squares, a roof over their heads, a place to sell drugs (prison) and free internet porn. A lot of these guys could do much worse on the outside.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 10:58 on March 14th, 2009

I'm not convinced either, Barry. The death penalty has not reduced murder rates so, it follows for me, that mandatory jail time is not going to rectify the problem. It will probably compound it and for the reason that: "it doesn't get at the roots of gangsterism -- alienated young people and widespread demand for illegal drugs."

eastvanray

at 11:11 on March 14th, 2009

Not the gansters I have met in Vancouver. They did not come from broken homes or poor neighbourhoods. They were not alienated. They were either the popular kids from middle class families (that makes for a good drug dealer) or new immigrants who don't give a sh*t.

In the US these socioeconomic problems may be the root but here in Vancouver it is the ability to get filthy stinking rich before your 30th birthday....and I am talking RICH! F*ck You Money kinda rich. The kida money that no doctor or lawyer could possibly dream of making.

No punishment is going to deter people when this kind of money is at stake. And nothing will stand in their way of getting it...not police, not each other and not friggin judges, courts or jails.

Wake up. Follow the money!

Barry ORegan

at 13:04 on March 14th, 2009

I put it this way Rhonda, it may not cure the criminal, but leaving him on the street to kill innocents demand we lock em up for as long as possible, cause if courts release em cause jails are full then in my opinion the courts are as culpable as the criminal when he commits his next criminal act, including murder.