Pubdate: Tue, 20 Nov 2001
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Jordan Bateman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

PARLIAMENT: MP AGAINST ROCK

Randy White doesn't want anyone - not even Health Minister Allan Rock - 
pre-empting the work of his drug parliamentary committee.

Randy White wants Allan Rock to back off.

The vice-chairman and driving force of the Parliamentary Committee on the 
Non-Medical Use of Drugs says Health Minister Rock's plans to fund 
safe-injection sites is irresponsible.

Rock wants to build the sites, at $1 million each, and make illegal drug 
use legal there.

"Allan Rock's concept of harm reduction should be known nationally as harm 
extension," said White. "I know of no mother or father in Canada who would 
think the Minister or the Liberal government are on the right track when 
they offer money for safe injection sites instead of detox centres that can 
help their children with a drug addiction."

White plans to bring his committee to Langley in early December to meet 
with local people and organizations. "We want to hear from police, workers, 
organizations, educators, students, families, parents, kids, everyone who 
wants to come and speak out," he said, noting that this is the first time 
Parliament has looked at drugs in 30 years. "This is a chance for everyone 
to say their piece or forever hold it."

Rock's plan is especially abhorrent to White as the Langley-Abbotsford MP 
continues to fight for the Campbell Valley Women's Centre, a rehabilitative 
program in south Langley. "When it comes to putting money towards a rehab 
centre that would have taken hundreds of young women off the streets, the 
answer is always no," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth