Letters: Surrey violence, gangs, drugs, Nepal earthquake, wheat board, Saudis, swans, Stanley Park

South Asian community is doing a lot to tackle violence

Columnist Michael Smyth raised very valid concerns about the recent shootings. The spike in gunplay and related violence in Surrey and Delta has again shocked all of us.

Twenty-three shootings in six weeks and the murder a 22-year-old man are very difficult to comprehend. It reminds us of the gang killings of the early 1990s, when almost every weekend a young man was lost to violence.

Those events shook the Indo-Canadian community into action. As a result of community efforts, the B.C. Integrated Gang Task Force was formed in 2004. As well, there are many initiatives in the community to prevent youth violence.

Further, the Indo-Canadian media has been doing a commendable job in creating awareness among parents, grandparents and youth about the issues of drugs, gangs and violence.

As someone actively involved in this process for a long time, I can say with certainty that the Indo-Canadian community is doing everything within its power to stop this vicious cycle of drugs, gangs and violence.

Balwant Sanghera, South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence, Richmond

Parents are to blame

Glenn Nordal’s letter really hit the nail on the head about parents who are in denial about their children’s involved with gangs.

It’s not uncommon for drugs, poverty, mental health to contribute to these crimes but ultimately it stems from poor parenting. Some parents play the victim instead of accepting responsibility for their kids.

Michael Bardouniotis, Surrey

New drug strategy is needed

I don’t support people using drugs, but the “war on drugs” isn’t working. If drugs were regulated or decriminalized, and addiction were treated as a health problem, gang related activities would disappear. Black markets and gangsters flourish under prohibition.

It is lame to blame parents. Addiction has many causes. Sometimes it’s related to life-style, sometimes genetics. Often people start using drugs to self-medicate for an undiagnosed mental-health issue like anxiety, depression or ADHD. Once hooked up with illegal suppliers, it’s hard to break the secrecy of underground relationships. We need a different approach than prohibition.

Mae Burrows, Burnaby

Help the poor folks of Nepal

In Nepal after the earthquake, people are facing acute shortages of food, water, shelter, medicine and electricity.

We must extend them financial support so that they can survive. Please give what you can afford.

Hanif Patel, Surrey

Why are Saudis OK?

Canada, a one time peaceful nation known as a peacekeeper is now at war with ISIS for its crimes against humanity and atrocities.

Recently, the Harper government sold the Canadian Wheat Board to Saudi Arabian interests, a country that has beheaded 59 people so far this year and is also one of the most oppressive countries on the planet when is come to women’s rights.

So we support one brutal regime while spending millions fighting another? The logic in that eludes me and many others.

Cheryl Leask, Chilliwack

Stanley Park is now dull

I remember when Stanley Park had a zoo with monkeys, gibbons and beautiful peacocks walking around like fashion models. It even had a small farm where kids could brush and play with animals.

Now the beautiful swans that attracted people are being lost. The park seems like a dead zone today. I wonder what is next on the NIMBY list of beautiful things that are about to disappear forever?

Leslie Benisz, Vancouver




