Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2002
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Chris Schmidt

VIOLENCE NO SOLUTION FOR DRUG ADDICTION

In regards to the destruction of the home on Speed Avenue, I was left 
wondering why the phrase "home invasion" was not used to describe the 
barbarism that took place against the tenants of this house.

I can understand the residents being frustrated with the noise and 
hazardous litter that may have originated from the house in question. 
However, I am deeply disturbed that reacting with this level of violence is 
seen as acceptable to Victorians.

This article, and the community response, demonstrates clearly how easily 
we are willing to treat addicts as less than citizens, less deserving from 
the protection of law than others, and less than human.

My hope, as one of many who works day in and out with those that use IV 
drugs, is that those that don't feel comfortable using violence against 
their neighbours who have addictions look for other solutions. I would 
suggest you contact community-based addiction programs that strive to work 
together to provide adequate services for addicts and meet the needs of the 
rest of the community.

What this article illustrated were the core reasons that addictions affect 
us all so profoundly as a community, namely, that stigma, intolerance and 
ignorance around the wider community toward addicts is commonplace. Until 
we see addicts and neighbours rather than targets, we will not, as a 
community, achieve any solutions.

Chris Schmidt, Victoria.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager