Drug addicts causing problems for citizens

On a quiet Wednesday morning I got my coffee and cookies and did what I always do, started reading the Lethbridge Herald. In just a couple of minutes, based on the three articles on the front page, I was already upset and totally disgusted with what I read.

The two that got me the most were “Apartment complex used by drug addicts condemned” and “Charges stayed in sexual assault case,” and the other article I don’t even want to discuss. The article about Doug Cutler, having his retirement investment being destroyed by drug addicts, is a shameful example of how far off our society has come. We can spend millions and millions of taxpayers’ dollars on people that have made extremely bad choices in their lives, but we can’t protect the honest and hard-working citizens and business in our community. Mr. Cutler’s problems are well known to the community (previous Lethbridge Herald article) by the police and city council. Yet here we are with a man’s life savings being destroyed.

So, what can we do? I have some strong opinions on the drug problem in our community, but I think it is best if I keep them to myself. Unlike Al Beeber, I am not brave enough to voice my opinion. Good for you, Al. This is what I think should be done to help Doug Cutler, both the City and Alberta government should pay to have Galt Manor repaired to its original condition and that money should come directly out of any money set aside for fixing drug addiction. There’s the taxpayer coming out in me, quit spending our money on lost causes; oops, did I say that? Are you sensing a little frustration? And I am not even directly affected.

The police should visit the location every night; arrest the drug addicts and put them to jail. That won’t solve the problem, but it will give Doug his livelihood back. I truly hope the new injection centre works; there are some good people working to fix this problem. We need positive results with addicts getting clean and contributing positively to society. Hopefully we are not just enabling them.

The Doug Cutler story is just a small although tragic story of how addicts are causing problems for our business community downtown. Regarding the second article, there should be no way a convicted sex offender should get off because of a time issue.

Barrie Orich

Lethbridge