Death Penalty for Drug Offenses: A Difficult Question, four Canadians were executed in China

Politics International Politics
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I personally do not believe in the death penalty, but I don’t have a clear answer when it comes to drug-related crimes… Living in British Columbia, I have seen firsthand how fentanyl has devastated communities. In my town, which has a population of barely 100,000, there were already 100 overdose deaths last year alone.

Recently, four Canadians were executed in China for drug offenses, raising the ongoing debate about how different countries handle drug-related crimes. While some argue that harsh penalties serve as a deterrent, others believe that addressing the root causes of addiction and trafficking is a more effective approach.

What do you think?

That’s what makes this case even more baffling. This person had already served two years in jail for drug-related crimes in British Columbia—clearly, they weren’t successful at it. So why risk everything by trying again, especially in China, where the penalties are severe and well known?

It raises questions about desperation, lack of rehabilitation, or maybe just arrogance in underestimating the consequences. In B.C., drug offenses often result in relatively light sentences, but in places like China, the stakes are entirely different. Did they think they could outsmart the system? Or were they trapped in a cycle they couldn’t escape?

Whatever the reason, it’s a grim reminder that different countries handle drug crimes very differently—and sometimes, the consequences are irreversible.

A few years ago, on my own street, I saw a dead body lying right on the pavement—a victim of an overdose. My neighbor pointed toward a nearby house and muttered, “That goddamn crack house over there…”

" if this were the Philippines, where I had just vacationed, the local police would have stormed in with assault rifles and gunned down every last drug user and dealer. The whole neighborhood would probably throw a karaoke party afterward."

I laughed and told him, “That’s a very based boomer thing to say.”

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Singapore has a harsher punishment and they go after not only drug traffickers but also those in possession.

I found it odd how there’s a picture of a white guy on the 2012 case but not the recent 4 cases in any of the news articles? Oh that’s because all 4 are Chinese nationals. This is just a case of them executing 4 of their own nationals who did drug trafficking in China.

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His criminal record dates back to February 2003, when he received a six-month sentence for possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He’s 36.

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14 isn’t that unusual to start a career as a drug dealer.

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Trafficking is generally larger quantities than dealing. Perhaps in Canadian law it’s the same. Six month sentence.

Either way, he’s certainly been at it for a long time. Or, it’s a CBC error.

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Drug dealers are bad but the CCP are worse so there no we shouldn’t just be ok with the CCP executing people regardless of what they did.

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LMAO----In Canada, when you’re young enough, they put you on skates. Didn’t realize doobie subculture went that young! :clown_face:

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Obviously it’s all political tit for tat, but Schellenberg seems an odd choice for a poster boy.

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This isn’t about drugs. China manufactures more drugs than most, exports them. Amphets, fent, rc etc. Singapore happily changes shipping labels and makes bank for it, they just don’t want it coming inside their border. The hypocrisy is unreal. These murders are done as warnings, they are hit peices. Nothing more, nothing less. Shameful, not that I’m defending these people IF they are actually guilty of what they were accused of…

It’s amazing a country like Canada, one that loves to brag about how ethical they are, still so lovingly fondles the CPP ball sack and lovingly swallows their load at every chance possible. Canada doesn’t stand up for jack shit. They do what everyone loves to do. Be selfish and greedy and sort of talk about “they bad” whilst the erect member of “the bad” is firmly embedded inside the rectum that is our economy / society.

Canada is a disgrace in terms of this hypocrisy. Both sides of the political spectrum, and even more sad…our people.

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Canada is fighting the death sentences, isn’t it?

EDIT: was.

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Canadian consular services? I wouldn’t trust them to run a peanut stand in Timbuktu. If I were ever in shit creek, I’d be using other nationality consular services in a heartbeat.

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I’ve no idea about that.

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My politics are much different than @ChewDawg but this post i 100% agree with. Canada ain’t helping, that’s a very harsh and sad truth. I say that believing they actually fully should be involved.

Either way, it’s deeper than a few accused drug dealers. It’s more about Canada’s constant placation in regards to China specifically. And this isn’t a left or right issue, this is decades in the making, both sides of the aisle. If we want to get deep on drug issues, also both sides of the isle… whilst doing 1 or 2 things to make the Canadian sides’ society pretend the government is actually doing anything at all. It’s gross. Canada has propped up and supported CCP China from the get. And it goes against everything they say our society stands for. Fuck that hypocrisy. It’s not even hidden…

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From what I’ve read I don’t see what Canada, or its consular services, could have done. More tariffs on Chinese EVs?

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One word. William Sampson. Think it is representative worldwide.

Criticism of the Canadian government

[edit]

Sampson repeatedly criticised the Canadian government for its actions during his incarceration. Sampson stated that his torturers were present at every meeting he had with Canadian diplomats and government representatives, who never insisted they leave and indeed accepted the Saudis’ claims of Sampson’s guilt, despite the lack of evidence, inconsistencies, and the statements to the contrary by Sampson and his supporters. He also alleged that he repeatedly informed embassy officials and Canadian medical professionals that he was being tortured, but to no avail.

Credible allegations that [Sampson] was tortured while in detention and forced to confess to a crime he very likely did not commit remain uninvestigated [by Canadian authorities].

— Amnesty International[11]

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It’s a deeper issue than just one off China telling Canada to fuck itself. These lives, maybe no hope. There is a LOT Canada can do, and should have done decades previous, to not be so reliant on china. It’s not even a Canada issue, it’s a greed issue and chjna is excellent at dangling evil in front of simple people’s eyes. That’s what needs changing. Canada was supporting Mao even. It’s not a good look considering our “claim to fame” of ethics. In my opinion.

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Canadians bitch about dual national Musk, but what about Bethune? They make fucking movies on him. Asshats.

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Don’t be so sure. My educational theses back in the day are on the hard left, and I sit on a national union executive (following a long tradition in my family). Libertarian radical is how I would describe myself, neither adhering to right or left labels. Pro-worker, pro-grassroots, international, non-puritan, etc.

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Musk is nothing compared to propping up a Hitler aka. Mao.

Quite possible. We don’t know each other so it’s hard to say over a forum :slight_smile: I view myself as a libertarian socialist :grin: but when people ask I make it easy and say I am liberal, which is normally a libertarian/socialist mix. Note: I am not A LIBERAL, nor am I left. I’m full on logic and rwlaism based on ethics. Same with eeligion. It’s clearly a flase brainwash for control, but the science part of me demands I stay agnostic, provide a logical point and we should all be willing to give it thought and perhaps change our thoughts to accept.

Probably the biggest problem is how rigid people are. As much a si hate oppression and Tyranny, if even Chjna changed course in a legitimate way, I will be the first to shale their hands. But if they don’t, we should be pragmatic, not opinionated.

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Here’s what I think: if you deal/transport/use drugs in a country that clearly warns you they’ll kill you for it, you’re not a victim… you’re an idiot.

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