Pubdate: Tue, 11 Oct 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: David Doty
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

ADDICTS HAVE TO WANT HELP

While your sentiments regarding mandatory drug treatment for 
drug-addicted car thieves are laudable, it is entirely impractical. 
The basic raison d'etre of any drug-rehabilitation program is the 
necessity for addicts to recognize they are addicted and wish to do 
something about it.

If an addict is incorrigible, any drug-rehabilitation program is a 
waste of everybody's time.

In fact, if such a compulsory program were implemented, it would only 
provide a false and deceptive sop to the public.

Your comparison to a legally mandated blood transfusion is spurious. 
There are proven medical and legal precedents supporting the right of 
authorities to take this course of action when circumstances warrant it.

There is no remote connection between the two scenarios.

Unfortunately, society is forced into two very unpalatable choices -- 
continuous incarceration or condoning an inevitable vehicular murder.

David Doty

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman