Pubdate: Tue, 05 Apr 2005
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Liz Stonard
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n552/a03.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

HEROIN ADDICTS NEED OUR HELP

Re: "Heroin for junkies, no medicine for ill," letters, April 2.

In answer to the query whether hospital wards would "be under more stress, 
with an influx of addicts coming for the freebies" due to the free heroin 
program -- no, that's what the safe injections sites are for.

After all, heroin addicts are "genuine needy folks" who (until they can get 
off it) need heroin "to stay alive."

Unfortunately, many seem content to harbour outdated notions that heroin 
addiction is a moral failing, perpetuating ignorance of the scientific fact 
that it is as much an illness as anything else being treated by the 
PharmaCare program.

We'll never get-with-the-program regarding heroin addiction unless myths 
regarding the nature of addiction are dispelled to prevent ignorance being 
the basis for public resistance to sound drug rehabilitation policy.

Liz Stonard, Coombs
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager