Pubdate: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Will Blackaby Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1359/a05.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) THANKS, JOEY I just want to thank Province columnist Joey Thompson for expressing the views of the majority of people I talk to. I agree with you that the "free" clinic for drug addicts is enabling them to remain on drugs. How many have gotten off of drugs this year through the program? What of the continued dependency and increased theft to maintain the habit? And what about the proposed safe sites for cocaine addicts? Where has common sense gone in this often one-sided presentation of this very controversial experiment? I, along with you, do not believe our citizens (including addicts) are any safer today than before the injection site was established. It is a falsehood naming it a "safe" injection site. It should be called an enabling-infection site. If they would only listen to people like recovered addict Barry Joneson, who has been there, unlike the promoters of this feel-good multi-million-dollar industry. Thanks again for the opinion. Will Blackaby, Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D