The New Canadian Generation

Narcotic Leaders to Industry Leaders

On April 1st 2009 the Toronto Region Police Force, the Durham Region Police Force, the Peel Region Police Force and the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Force combined efforts to destabilize and infiltrate the present “narcotic industry” located across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The “raid” that was aimed at houses and vehicles across the GTA led to 125 arrests in the Scarborough area with the seizure of millions of dollars worth of narcotics. Un-taxable capital was also present totaling $431,340.00.

The raid captured the following narcotics:
Cocaine worth $1.9 Million
Marijuana worth $588,000.00
Ecstacy worth $750,000.00
Oxycotin worth $1,700.00
Crack worth $34,400.00

I make the argument that this million dollar industry would be more valuable to the Canadian economy as a legalized entity supplying to a grotesque societal demand.

In other words, allowing the narcotic industry to strive with policy support would correlate with the requirements of supply and demand that capitalist theory basis its operational capability upon.

I make this argument based on the reports of the April 1st police raid presented to the public through the following newspapers:
Metro Newspaper: April 2nd 2009: pg1;
24 Hours Newspaper: April 2nd 2009: pg3; and
The Toronto Star: April 2nd 2009: GT1 and GT4.

According to police officials, Toronto has a narcotic problem. As explained through published stories the policing system has been tracking and investigating the “drug trade” since last year. These efforts have cumulated into a spring raid, which as reporters note; seem to be a “springtime ritual.” (Toronto Star, Metro)

Every police initiative implemented to stop the spread of narcotics from the underground market is unsuccessful as narcotics consistently resurface year after year. This showcases the growing market that is not ending.

I am led to wonder if these massive raids are meant to actually stop the spread of narcotics or if it is meant to simply capture the providers of these highly demanded products.

These providers are deemed as ‘gang leaders, members or associates that pose a risk’ to society and are the focus of the police raids. However, there could only be leaders if there are followers. There could only be a narcotics industry if there is a narcotics following, in other words if there is a large enough societal demand.

Gang theory proposes that as a singular identity this group or organization of citizens pose a threat to society. They are said to be the driving cause behind the violence and crimes that make the city unsafe for residential and commercial workers.

However, as reported in the Toronto Star: “…police leaders in attendance (at the press conference) acknowledged this project will not end the existence of street gangs and the associated violence.”

My direct question to this statement is: WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE POLICE RAID?

I propose in my argument that the violence associated with the narcotics trade is a direct response to the inability or unwillingness of governing officials to remove the stigma of this underground market and place it as a corporate organization in the international market with the ability to declare its locations of import and export.

This practice will lead the million dollar industry to become a viable contender and contributor in the international economy.

I propose the millions of dollars worth of narcotics would not be present in cities if there was not a high demand for the products.

As Project Fusion incorporated policing systems of various regions including the RCMP (Canada’s national police force) the issue of drug use is present across the nation.

Narcotic users are not ‘official gang members’ but are professionals, students and citizens in general. As such it is a national problem that must be faced by our governing bodies – specifically the Federal Government.

In response to my above question: WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE POLICE RAID? I want to acknowledge the charges laid by investigators. As the 24 Hours newspaper states, “[i]nvestigators laid a slew of charges, including gangsterism and attempt[ed] murder” on 125 arrested persons.

Yet “[t]he people who we arrested…some of them are charged with less serious offenses so some of those people have been released or will be released over the next few days.” (Police Chief Bill Blair-Toronto Star)

This is because ‘gangsterism’ should not be laid as a method to incriminate persons but is simply a perception differentiation from that of the current governing body.

According to dictionary.com ‘gangsterism’ is defined as:
1. the methods of behavior of gangsters.
2. the use of tactics associated with gangsters, as intimidation or violence, in order to achieve something.

As I noted above, gangs are a direct product of the unwillingness of governing bodies to recognize the growing market of the narcotic industry.
I charge that with the present global economic crisis, or as we have termed it in Canada, the recession, is the reason why acts of ‘gangsterism’ are necessary. With no overarching social welfare present in Canada, and no response from governing organizations to the growing number of impoverished persons, citizens are left to fend for themselves in the market.

Under the notion of capitalist theory the market is suppose to produce the fruits of Adam Smith’s invisible hand theory. This is should lead to a trickle down effect that ensures all members of society are provided for.

However, this has proven untrue during the implementation of capitalist ideology. Without government support to supplement where the market breaks down citizens are left as pawns of the market with no opportunity of growth and development within the market.

You can not participate in a market that you are not a part of or have no access to. Citizens have been systematically removed from the market through massive unemployment rates that are evident in Canada.

Thus the Federal government must take responsibility for this national problem. I believe that the answer is an adaptable social welfare package that is dictated by the needs of citizens.

I am not stating that Canada should implement socialist or communist theory, but should adapt to the current international economic crisis by supplementing its citizens with more then promises to take effect July 1st 2009. Citizens have been in the crisis since 2008, and are unable to wait any longer for a response from its elected officials.

Thus, citizens are left to find their own method to provide the necessities that contribute to current Canadian living standards for themselves and their families.

The narcotic industry can be tailored to provide employment and opportunity for growth as a national industry, and as noted above with the listed figures, can be used to adopt a modest income. However, for this to take place there would have to be national legalization of the industry.


Please comment on my thoughts…