Pubdate: Tue, 30 Apr 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: Dee Dee Billy,  Avril Fishburne,  Alison Wilson

WILL BEER AND SMOKES BE FREE TOO?

Free heroin for addicts coming soon to an area near you, three times a day 
- -- a multi-million-dollar program proposed by two of Vancouver's top 
medical researchers.

Has the world gone stark-raving mad? What about providing health care for 
the old folks?

I like beer and cigarettes. Will I be able to get these items free too?

Not likely, because my dealer happens to be the government.

Dee Dee Billy, Burnaby

NEXT? FREE LIQUOR FOR DRUNKS?

One wonders what's next on the agenda for health-research funding -- free 
liquor for impaired drivers? Weapons for criminals?

The list is endless.

What a colossal waste of taxpayers' money.

Avril Fishburne, Vancouver

WHY SHOULD TAXPAYERS FUND JUNKIES?

Why should taxpayers fund people who depend on a steady daily drug supply?

It's bad enough that they get their needles exchanged for free. Now 
officials want to provide the product and a safe place to do this 
disgusting thing.

People who need medicines to stay alive now have to pay, and people are 
having surgeries cancelled at the last minute because of a lack of hospital 
beds.

What is this government thinking when it cuts back on essentials that 
provide proper health care but is willing to spend on people who did not 
say no to drugs?

Yes, help them. But not for free.

Alison Wilson, Delta
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager