Should North America get tougher on its citizens like Singapore?

[1994Californication]

After Reading some rather interesting articles written by Canadian doctor Dr.Gifford-Jones on North America's "namby-pamby permissiveness"  in comparison to Singapore's more strict authoritativeness http://canadafreepress.com/2006/health040306.htm

In the 1970s Singapore had a serious problem. The use of heroin was spreading to young people. And former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew decided to nip the trend in the bud. He introduced the death penalty for major drug traffickers and some offences were also punishable by '"caning".

The government realized that nothing would work if drugs were easily available. So black market areas of drug abuse were flooded with police 24 hours a day for up to nine months (cities in Canada take note). Addicts were sent to treatment centers, major drug dealers were hung and small pushers imprisoned.

Criminals quickly realized that not only were these new laws harsh, but also police intended to carry them out. Moreover, caning made a distinct impression on their backsides and their heads.

Many in North America consider this type of punishment brutal, a return to the dark ages. But officials told me that only five per cent of criminals became repeat offenders after meeting the cane (officials and do-gooders take note).Singapore officials stated that North Americans have become "irresponsibly permissive". How true! And this attitude starts early. Consider how we allow students, hardly out of diapers, to rule the classroom, insisting they have their "rights", but ignoring any responsibility (school boards take note).

This namby-pamby permissiveness results in drug trafficking, addiction and finally murder when punishment is soft, delayed or even nil.

. One has to wonder would Singapore strict laws/punishments really clean up North American society for the better?