Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Paul Arnold SAFE-INJECTION SITES OFFER NO SOLUTION Thank goodness the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has announced it is "adamantly opposed" to the proposed drug consumption sites for Victoria. Drug-addicted people are flocking here from across Canada to enjoy our good weather and our goodwill. Mayor Alan Lowe and others are convinced the best way to deal with this crisis is to try to sweep it under the carpet by taking it off the streets and glossing it over in government-sponsored drug-consumption facilities. There has to be a better way. Many of the desperate drug-addicted people in Victoria are crying out for help. Police officers who deal with this problem day after day are frustrated when they know there is no real assistance for them. Our community needs to give the police a viable place to take these people when they plead for help. One possibility could be to convert William Head into a drug-rehabilitation centre. Residents would be required to become well, to work with the education, housing and occupational support staff and would only be allowed to graduate when they were ready to pursue a productive and healthy life. Paul Arnold Victoria. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom