Pubdate: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 Source: Mission City Record (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 The Mission City Record Contact: http://www.missioncityrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1305 Author: Steve McGregor Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1851/a01.html WHY STOP AT ONLY ISOLATING ADDICTS? Editor, The Record: I found the recently published letter, Addicts need treatment but also need to be isolated from society by Robert T. Rock quite intriguing. His solution to resolving the concerns regarding individuals afflicted with chemical dependency warrants further consideration. Several of Mr. Rock's comments caught my attention, "In my own small way I am trying my best to clear out some of the worst of those leeches"-and-"I am so fed up with the "touchy/feely" approach used by bleeding hearts, gospel groups and friendship centres, and other advocates of those poor misunderstood addicts that I could spit nails"-and-"their wasted bodies and wasted lives"-and especially, "The sooner they die off and exit the gene pool the better"-interesting approach to say the least. However, why stop with the addicts? Clearly, Mr. Rock's ideology of extermination could be applied to other target populations. Let's start with the elderly, one third of the worlds population is "maturing". The health care costs associated with this target group will be astronomical. Anyways, dodging those electric wheel chairs cruising the sidewalks has become a nuisance. We could save substantial tax payers dollars and personal frustration by isolating our elders with the addicts. And while we're at it, let's isolate everyone with mental health issues. Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia (I, for one, am tired of watching them talk to themselves), chronic depression, mood disorders, mental and physical handicaps-again, we could save substantial tax dollars by isolating these people with the addicts. And what about our youth? I've seen the kids lining the streets of Mission, clearly scheming and strategizing ways to cause havoc in the downtown core. Wait a minute, come to think of it, Mr. Rock's solution of isolating and exterminating the less fortunate has been tried before-remember? Folks, most of us recognize we have societal concerns in Mission. However, let's try to identify and implement solutions that encompass love, compassion and empathy. One final comment, God bless the "touchy/feely bleeding hearts", gospel groups and friendship centres for their invaluable support in our community. I, for one, am grateful that there are people in our community who are committed to addressing our city's concerns in a "solution-focused" manner that promotes love and personal integrity. Steve McGregor, Mission - --- MAP posted-by: Josh