Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2009
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Andrew Hanon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

COPS CAN LEARN TOLERANCE FROM PEER'S PROBLEM

Addiction makes people selfish, hurtful and sometimes dangerous. It's 
a disease of the soul. Just ask Const. Mike Wasylyshen.

Last week, the Edmonton cop stood in front of a judge and apologized 
for his boorish, reprehensible behaviour, fuelled by alcohol abuse. 
Apparently, Wasylyshen becomes an insufferable bully when he drinks.

He attacked people he was sworn to protect, embarrassed brethren in 
uniform and dishonoured his family -- notably his father, former 
chief Bob Wasylyshen.

The younger Wasylyshen pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in an 
incident that included punching a man on crutches around Christmas 
2005. Wasylyshen was out celebrating with some friends on Whyte 
Avenue, where he consumed a "significant" amount of alcohol.

On the street, he saw a man on crutches and started taunting him as a 
"cripple." Wasylyshen ran across the street to punch the man.

The pair were pulled apart, but Wasylyshen came at him again. This 
time he was thrown to ground by two of the other man's friends.

When a couple of nearby store security guards stepped in, Wasylyshen 
turned on them. In his rage, he threatened to burn down one of the 
guards' houses.

It was a horrifying display of out-of-control behaviour, the last 
thing you would expect from someone whose chosen career is keeping the peace.

Shortly after the incident, Wasylyshen checked himself into rehab, 
and according to his lawyer hasn't touched alcohol since then. In the 
courtroom last week, the 10-year veteran cop tearfully apologized to 
everyone involved, his family, fellow cops and the public, all of 
whom he hurt and betrayed.

"I did let the community down and I hope I can regain its trust," he said.

The judge slapped him with a $500 fine. In order to send a message to 
other drunken brawlers, a request to discharge him was denied, 
meaning Wasylyshen will have a criminal record. Now he must also go 
through the police department's internal disciplinary process.

Police Chief Mike Boyd praised Wasylyshen for owning up and 
apologizing. He commended the constable for "the actions he's taken 
to try to deal with his personal problem with alcohol."

Other cops wrote letters to the court, saying he's a changed man 
since drying out, calling him a natural leader and a good example for 
younger cops.

But Wasylyshen can also serve as an example to lawmakers. Talk to any 
cop and they will tell you the vast majority of people they arrest 
are struggling with addictions. Most burglaries, car break-ins, 
identity theft and other so-called property crimes are committed for 
quick cash to feed the perpetrators' habits.

Likewise, brawls and domestic violence are commonly fuelled by drugs 
and alcohol. Our jails are full of people whose addictions have spun 
out of control.

They don't get a lot of sympathy from the public. We don't think it's 
our responsibility to worry about their downward slide before they 
turned to crime. Their substance abuse problems aren't ours.

Wasylyshen is lucky. He has the financial means to get treatment and 
is surrounded by people who will help him stay on the wagon.

How many convicts would be leading productive lives right now if they 
had better access to help? How many crimes would never have been 
committed if substance abuse was taken seriously as a health problem 
before it became a criminal issue? How many fewer victims would there be?
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom