Much crime -- sex trade workers, guns, drugs -- is international and it makes sense to coordinate law enforcement amongst the three North American countries.
My sense that the "war on drugs" is preposterous doesn't change that -- of course, if we went to way Portugal did and went to treatment rather than criminalization, the drug cartels would vanish (remember Al Capone? The end of Prohibition ended the criminal gangs dealing in bootleg booze).
That said, and recognising my views on drugs are not going to be law any time soon, this crime initiative is a good idea.
Harper unveils anti-crime program as summit begins
Andrew Mayeda, National Post
Sunday, Aug 9, 2009
GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled a new program to help fight crime in the Americas as he arrived in Mexico on Sunday for a summit with U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
Through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, Canada will invest as much as $15-million a year in projects across the Americas that combat the illicit drug trade, corruption, human-trafficking and other regional problems.
Roughly half a million dollars of the program's annual total will go to Mexico to assist in its drug war. Drug-related violence has spiked in the country as rival cartels vie for control of the North American market.
With the aid of the United States and other international partners, Canada will provide training for 300 mid-level Mexican officers.
The program's funding was earmarked in last January's federal budget.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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