Pubdate: Fri, 22 Nov 2002
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jason Marrs

THERE IS A BETTER WAY THAN PUNITIVE PROHIBITION OF DRUGS

I'm responding to Susan Martinuk's column on safe-injection sites.

While the Platzpitz in Switzerland may have had serious problems, it did 
see a reduction in the number of HIV cases and did not see an increased 
rate of drug use.

However, since the closing of Platzpitz the Swiss have had success with 
heroin maintenance programs. They have reduced the spread of disease, crime 
and have even gotten heroin addicts to hold jobs and contribute to society.

Maybe safe-injection sites aren't the answer, but neither is 
punitive-prohibition.  There is a better way.

Jason Marrs,

Ossining, N.Y.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart