This week, my email account nearly developed rigor mortis from the volume of responses to my column about an opioid summit. I recently told readers the government鈥檚 proposed opioid summit was a waste of money. I asked for readers鈥� opinions. Most agreed with me, but some labelled me barbaric, cruel and Godless for praising Singapore鈥檚 system of justice.
M.P. wrote: 鈥淚 also saw the warning signs when entering Singapore airport. A poster showed a drug dealer hanging by a rope.鈥�
Another reader added: 鈥淚鈥檓 glad someone has the balls to discuss the consequences of this drug problem.鈥�
From A.W.: 鈥淢y wife would swear I wrote your column. The only way to deal with drug dealers is death. Put them in jail and these serial killers are back selling death.鈥�
From G.T.: 鈥淚 have morning coffee with nine others and they all agree western society is too lenient with drug dealers. Bleeding hearts will ruin this great country.鈥�
One also warned me they might also try to end my column.
Parents responded that their worst nightmare occurred when a child died from a drug overdose. They suggested evil pushers be injected with the same drug that killed their children.
R.L. wrote: 鈥淓very dealer executed saves our prison system $80,000. This would decrease the demand on our police and emergency health services.鈥�
From Brampton, Ont.: 鈥淚鈥檝e visited Singapore many times and it鈥檚 one of the few places I would emigrate to, thanks to [former prime minister] Lee Kuan Yew and his tough stand on crime.鈥�
From Victoria: 鈥淚 look forward to your column every Sunday. You are spot on, say it like it is, which is a breath of fresh air in a crazy world.鈥�
Another added: 鈥淕reat stuff, you should run for prime minister of sa国际传媒.鈥�
H.T.: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 normally reply to articles, but yours hit a nerve. Pampering drug addicts is a waste of health resources.鈥�
From Calgary: 鈥淭his is the most commonsense article I鈥檝e read as we just slap the wrist of drug dealers. An opioid summit is the classic stalling tactic of governments. This column is a joy to read and should have been on the front page.鈥�
K.S. said: 鈥淲e have to stop saving people who overdose. Let them die.鈥� Another reader: 鈥淲hy are we handwringing over a few witless souls who have no regard for their continued existence.鈥�
But five per cent of readers took me to task. J.K. said: 鈥淵our proposal that dealers should be hanged is cruelty over the top.鈥� Other readers suggested I visit Portugal to learn about rehabilitation programs. Still others said they had always considered me a compassionate physician, but now were appalled by my views.
Several readers addressed the death penalty, saying that it was barbaric. But some added it鈥檚 equally barbaric to sell death, so punishment fits the crime. Others deplored how the court system allowed lawyers to defer justice on drug cases for years.
A crisis-centre worker wrote: 鈥淎s a Christian, I try to model the love God has for mankind. But my God is no pushover. In the Bible, punishment for crime is swift and definite. And yes, it includes the death penalty.鈥�
Addicts did not get much sympathy from readers. Some blamed doctors for the indiscriminate use of opioids, but the majority did not buy this view. Rather, they believed responsibility rested solely on those who decided to become involved in drugs. Moreover, we should not dignify addicts by calling them victims when they鈥檙e willing to become participants in their own addictions.
Most readers had a pessimistic view of the future and believe that chicken-hearted politicians would continue to be 鈥渋rresponsibly permissive鈥� in dealing with drug dealers. Many also decried the use of safe- injection sites and naloxone injections of just abetting drug addiction.
The overwhelming message was that people are fed up with politicians and their lack of sense when dealing with the drug epidemic. None of the respondents could see Singapore鈥檚 hard stance on drugs happening in this country. But they suggest any politician with the intestinal fortitude to take this stand would get elected. So, is any politician listening?
