Pubdate: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n880/a03.html Author: Bruce Carter NEEDLE EXCHANGE JUST PART OF ISSUE Re: "Needle exchange and failed leaders," editorial, Sept. 19. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce takes exception to several of the contentions regarding the need for a new needle exchange. The editorial states that "a fixed location needle exchange had operated successfully Victoria since 1990" and "needle exchanges work." You would hardly describe the deterioration of the Cormorant neighbourhood and business sector as a "success." Providing medical services for addicts is a worthy endeavour but it is only a Band-Aid solution for a terrible growing problem. Clean needles solve a public health problem but this type of exchange service does not lead to treatment in most cases. In Vancouver since the installation of the Insite drug use centre there has been no drop in the crime rate with only a marginal increase in rehabilitation enrolment. Drug laws are not being enforced. Our understaffed police department is frustrated at the revolving door of justice where arrests don't lead to incarceration, rehabilitation or supervised housing. It has apparently become acceptable to enable addiction rather than tackle the problem and our community is paying a heavy price with rising commercial and residential crime. The chamber has long called for the province to establish a community court in Victoria. The community court in Vancouver moves victims of drug addiction quickly through a system designed to help guide devastated lives toward rehabilitation and new hope. The chamber wants to see drug law enforcement, community courts and rehabilitation debated by our federal, provincial and municipal candidates. Simply debating the merits of a needle exchange misses the point. BRUCE CARTER Chief Executive Officer Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath