March+24

=__Kimberly Mann__=

Headline: Drug crackdown may do more harm than good: BC Researchers Publication: The Province, [|www.theprovince.com] Date written: March 23, 2010 Scope: National news Setting of event: Ottawa, Canada Topic: Economics
 * __Essential Information__**

The researchers say violence emerges when organized-crime groups compete for the massive profits made in the drug trade on the black market. Researchers uncovered that tougher laws and sentences for drugs are not going to solve that problem and ecourage people to not do or sell drugs. In fact, it might do the exact opposite. The researchers noticed that gun violence and crimes went up because of drug prohibition. Laws that are aiming to break up drug gangs could unintentionally increase the violence. The researchers say 'violence emerges when organized-crime groups compete for the massive profits made in the drug trade on the black market. Bill C-15 seeks to impose mandatory jail time for certain drug crimes and to increase the maximum penalties for marijuana production. The proposed law was among the bills that died when Parliament was prorogued in December, but the federal government has said it plans to re-introduce it. The B.C. researchers did a review of 15 studies, two from Australia and the rest American that show the impact of heightened law enforcement on violence rates. Thirteen of the studies showed that stepping up enforcement could lead to more violence. Efforts in other countries, specifically the U.S. and Mexico, to crack down on drug crimes have backfired and done little to drive down drug use. The government has pledged to spend nearly $70 million to bolster law-enforcement initiatives if Bill C-15 passes. That amount is in addition to $102 million already committed for heightened enforcement activities under the government's national anti-drug strategy.
 * __Summary of the Article__**

__**Reaction to the Article**__ I think that if this drug enforcement law is not working and is only making drug gangs and criminals do worse things, then what is going to work? People should abide the law and see that there is a better life than just doing drugs. I think that there is also a lot of money going into this. I think that drug gangs are rebelling against the laws that restrict drugs, and i don't think that is right. A lot of people can get hurt because of the violence it brings. Drugs are also very harmful, and people should be encouraged not to use them. I also think that there is no sense in fighting over the drugs. It just causes people to get hurt, and soon you'll just have to get more.

__**Link to article**__ [|Article Link]

=__Shanell Kumar__= = = = = = =

**__1. Essential information of the article.__**
-International News. -Took place in San Diego, USA/worldwide. -Topic is Economics.**
 * -Toyota denies Prius recall coming. **
 * -CBC News** [|**www.cbc.ca**]
 * -Written on: Tuesday March 9, 2010.

__**2. Summary of the article.**__
= As you know that Toyota has been recalling more than 270,000 cars, including a big recall for prius hybrids. The reason for all this recalling is because of the sticky floor mat problem, where the accelerators are getting jammed into the floor mats. Another reason could be that Japanese automakers uses an electronic throttle that uses computer chips to control speed, father than mechanical connections. More than 8.5 million cars have been recalled, maybe even more. One of the prius owners just recently had a problem with his prius. What had happened to James Sikes,61, was that his pruis suddenly began racing to more than 151 km/h as he was driving along the highway. Sikes said he was litrally standing on the brakes but his car would not stop. = __ __**Link to article**__ [|**Link to article**]
 * 3**. **Reaction **__
 * I think that Toyota should recall all the cars that have to be recalled(like the prius) and fix it. Whoever owns a car that has been recalled should go and get it checked before something could happen. Having an accelerator problem is a big issue because it is obviously dangerous, it like the car has its own mind. Just think of having a child in a car that is racing down the road in full speed. I personally think that people should get their cars check of it has been giving problems or if their car has been recalled they definitely get it checked out. **

= = =__Luke Zandbergen__=