Pubdate: Tue, 17 Dec 2002
Source: Canadian Champion, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing Ltd
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/mcc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1503
Author: Pat Kelly
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

GOVERNMENTS HAVE BECOME HYPOCRITICAL REGARDING CHEMICAL ADDICTION: SAYS READER

Dear Editor: Recently the Toronto Sun reported that the federal government 
is in the process of approving public funding for safe injection sites for 
drug users.

This differs from the needle exchange program in that trained medical 
professionals will monitor the injection of drugs. Estimates vary but 
millions of dollars are spent on the apprehension, education and medical 
treatment of drug addicts.

On the other hand the federal and provincial governments take in some $7 to 
8 billion in taxes from cigarette smokers and won't even pay for modest 
methods for reducing nicotine dependency. Methadone is okay but not 
Nicorette Gum. Go figure!

As was proven in the days of prohibition, prohibition doesn't work and it's 
not going to work with the 100 per cent smoking ban council has forced on 
private-area business and some 25 per cent of the voting public. It hasn't 
worked anywhere else so why will it work in Milton?

Milton citizens didn't and haven't been asking for this 100 per cent ban 
despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

A variety of types of businesses and their employees are suffering 
significant financial loss.

Most Miltonians agreed with the need for improved ventilation systems and 
clearly-defined smoking and non-smoking establishments or areas within 
establishments. Banning children and limiting the minimum age to 19 for 
entry was also a recommendation.

Nobody I can find defends or extols the benefits of smoking. Like it or 
not, nicotine is considered one of, if not the most addictive of drugs.

The hell with smokers, say councillors Rich Malboeuf and John Challinor.

Council should let the feds and the provinces make the decisions on health 
matters and get themselves back to the more mundane matters of cleaning our 
roads and picking up garbage.

That's why we pay municipal taxes.

Pat Kelly, Milton
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager