Pubdate: Thu, 25 Nov 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: J. Bitcon SOCIETY TOLERATES DRUG ABUSERS OVER SMOKERS Our society is more tolerant of the drug abuser than the smoker. We would rather provide a safe haven for the administration of drugs or provide clean needles to prevent communicable diseases. All addictions bring the burden of cost to our health care system, legal system and welfare system but to discriminate against the smoker is unfair. To say that this person must go out in the cold and wet if they wish to satisfy their habit is imposing an additional health risk on the individual. And is it safer to have smoking patrons huddled in doorways seeking what little shelter they can find? Maybe blocking entrances isn't a safety issue if the blockage is human. I'm sure other patrons would welcome the opportunity to pass through a group of smokers to enter or exit an establishment. J. Bitcon, Port Coquitlam - --- MAP posted-by: Derek