To the editor,
My 74-year-old brother was attacked in his vehicle at Terminal Park Mall. His attacker was high, claimed he had a gun, and demanded money. Although my brother has some mobility issues, he managed to retain his vehicle and his wallet, then drove himself to the RCMP station to make a report.
He is recovering from the assault, but this event has shaken our family badly. The irony is my brother used to be a drug and alcohol counsellor and spent years trying to help addicts. He has always shown great compassion for people who struggle, and would have been quick to offer a coffee or a meal if asked.
It is doubtful the offender will be caught, but if he is, he should serve an appropriate jail sentence. It’s time we look at building more drug rehabilitation facilities. There are thousands of addicts in B.C. and nowhere near enough treatment facilities. New ones need to be built, away from communities where it is too easy to relapse. Compulsory treatment should be mandated for offenders who commit violent acts in order to access drugs.
Virginia Brucker, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Punish drug dealers more severely
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