Pubdate: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 Source: Richmond News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.richmond-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244 Author: Marion Smith Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08.n686.a04.html PREJUDICE HAS TRUMPED TOLERANCE The Editor, Re: "Deal with root causes of addiction," News, Letters, July 15. Turning Point's Ash Street plan included the essential combination of land, funding from BC Housing and an experienced organization to manage the facility. The proposed home was thoughtfully designed and would have been considered a valuable asset in any other community. Richmond needs homes like this to provide specialized health care to round out the services it already provides. Unlike Vancouver city council, which approved similar housing for dual-diagnosed patients, our local councillors avoided making a decision, resulting in a dangerous precedent where prejudice has trumped tolerance and common sense. Yes, it is daunting to take a stand in the face of opposition, but decisions made by any elected body should be based on the laws and social norms in Canada. If our local councillors follow this guiding principle, they will be supported at election time. Mr. Mendoza and his neighbours cannot change the Canadian core beliefs of equality and freedom from discrimination. Under our law, we are all entitled to live here without fear of discrimination, and we each have the responsibility to treat others with respect and to honour their rights to housing and health care. We do not have the right to deny others their basic human needs. Because the Turning Point application failed, Richmond residents are now viewed as bigoted, ignorant and intolerant, a characterization that is unfair to the majority of us. Marion Smith Richmond - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin