Lettre à l’éditeur de The Economist

Notes explicatives: le vénérable périodique britannique publiait, dans son edition du 7 février 2008, un article traitant de la guerre des motards qui sévit en Colombie-Britannique. L’auteur de l’article suggérait que cette province devrait s’inspirer de l’expérience du Québec en la matière… il a bien fallu répondre…
______________________

SIR — “Gangland” (February 7) mentions “Quebec’s success in tackling biker gangs”. While it is true that the “provincial government has spent more than C$115m over the past decade on special teams of prosecutors and police and a fortified court, arresting 134 bikers and convicting most of them”, current events tend to demonstrate that, to quote Bob Dylan, “there’s no success like failure…”
First, some simple math: $115m/134 convictions = $858,209 per conviction, not factoring in heating, maintenance, devaluation and the rest for the fortified, hi-tech and seldom used courthouse. This could be acceptable if there were lasting results and/or measurable success. But such is not the case.
The convicted bikers (except for the very top leaders) are getting out of jail on parole or probation at a steady pace. Barred from entering the United States, some of Québec’s Hells Angels are setting up shop in the Dominican Republic, a most convenient base of operations for money laundering and a great way-station for drug-related shipping/receiving operations.
Meanwhile, back on the streets, the drug trade, with its constantly evolving business model, is as flourishing as ever. In and around Montréal, young people driving SUVs and wearing the latest in men’s wear get shot, mugged or knifed in some of the seediest dives as well as in some of the swankiest venues. In an easily accessible section of Parc du Mont Royal, widely known as “the pharmacy”, business is brisk, even in sub-zero weather and knee-deep snow.
British Columbia should definitely not follow Québec’s example. Just like Québec, it should listen to the voices of reason (The Economist’s among others), and simply legalize drugs.

Paul Béland
Montréal