Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jul 2003
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: David M. Roth

POLICE BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

While there may be some legitimate concerns about the new anti-drug 
enforcement initiative in the Downtown Eastside, complaints about the 
movement of drug dealing and associated property crime to other 
neighbourhoods are simply not valid. Such complaints reflect a notion that 
containment is an acceptable solution to Vancouver's drug conundrum.

For too long, the Downtown Eastside has been the dumping ground for 
Vancouver's social problems. As a result, it was allowed to become a 
disaster area before any substantive policies were put in place. Now, as 
enforcement moves drug dealers and users beyond the confines of the ghetto 
that sprang up to house them, perhaps the citizens of Greater Vancouver 
will recognize it is an issue that we all need to address.

David M. Roth

Burnaby
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