Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Robin Tomlin CRACK-PIPE PLAN WILL LIMIT SPREAD OF DISEASE I applaud B.C.'s health ministry for offering addicts free crack-pipe mouthpieces to help combat diseases like hepatitis C. The provincial government is recognizing the importance of prevention of these diseases, rather than treating the addiction problem as a criminal, social problem. Prevention is far less expensive than treatment or incarceration. Isolating drug users in a controlled area does not stop the spread of a virus that knows no boundaries and shows no discrimination. The Province's reporting of the news can be much criticized. Instead of emphasizing words like "free" and "crack addicts" in your headlines, you should consider something like "free health care to addicts," which we all receive by right as citizens of Canada. To care is to help. So let's all care for one another as we should. It could be you or me out there waiting for help. Robin Tomlin Let's Find A Way Society, Robson - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin