FELDSTED: Peddling fentanyl is much more dangerous than the criminal with a handgun, but we are wasting time discussing handgun bans which criminals will ignore

We are doing a lot of hand-wringing, and giving lip service, to the surge in fentanyl overdoses, but we are not taking any positive action to stop the carnage.

We need to bring in very stiff penalties for the possession opioids by other than medical professionals, pharmacists and people with valid prescriptions.  People caught distributing, importing or manufacturing opioids should face prison terms of between 10 and 25 years without bail, reduction for time spent in pre-trial custody, or parole.

They are dealing in illegal and lethal substances extremely harmful to society. 

One hundred and thirty (130) Canadian were killed by criminal use of handguns in 2013. Meantime, in 2016, there were 3,005 opioid-related deaths and the number of opioid related deaths is rising rapidly (3,996 in 2017 – 33% increase)

If 2018 stays on track, the number will be over 5,000 this year.

The criminal peddling fentanyl is much more dangerous than the criminal with a handgun, but we are wasting time discussing handgun bans which criminals will ignore. The penalties must be consistent with the risk of harm and people are dying in large numbers.  

If we want to reduce crime we must stop treating criminals as victims, and treat them as the predators they are. We do not owe a convicted criminal rehabilitation, or the luxuries, he or she lacks when they are locked up. If they want to watch TV and communicate through e-mail, then they must obey the law.

The adult day care centres must go. Prison should not be a place anyone wants to go to, or return to. The era of prisoners demanding amenities many people in our society can’t afford has to end.    

  

John Feldsted

Political Consultant & Strategist

Winnipeg, Manitoba