Pubdate: Tue, 01 Apr 2008
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Nelson Carbonette
Note: Headline created by MAP
Note: Parenthetical comment by Sun editors

CHIEF WHITE DESERVES COMMENDATION

I am writing in response to the ridiculous letter from Paul Hansen in
which he bashes Police Chief Vern White for volunteering his time with
the homeless.

He goes on to try to make a comparison between being hungry and being
addicted to crack. It is not a crime to be hungry or in need of help.
It is a crime to be on crack. It is an illegal substance. Those found
with it should be arrested and "helped." Much like alcohol, if someone
were to be found with an open beer, they most likely would be fined.
If someone were drunk on the street, they would be arrested and taken
to the "drunk tank" to sober up before they face the music. And that's
exactly what we should be doing with crack addicts -- a "drug tank"
where addicts would be required to sober up.

We don't want to live in a society where there are safe injection
sites, or designated needle deposits or anything in support of illegal
substance abuse.

If the letter writer is confused in any way about the efforts of the
chief, he need look no further than the overwhelming majority of us
crack-free citizens who think he's doing a fantastic job.

NELSON CARBONETTE

Nepean

(The chief's volunteer efforts should be recognized as a good thing)
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath