Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2009
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Brian Belcher

MORE TREATMENT, NOT CRACK PIPES

It is obvious to me that VIHA and the provincial government have 
their priorities wrong when it comes to managing the addiction 
problem. They are expecting the taxpayer to be on the hook for 
providing crack pipes, which only encourages drug use, while ignoring 
the need to increase the facilities for those addicts who wish to become clean.

I have a relative who was in a publicly funded treatment facility 
21/2 years ago and placed on methadone as a way to abstain from hard 
drugs. At the time, he was told that if he ever wanted to get off 
methadone it would be best that he detoxified in a facility.

Well, that time has come, but his doctor cannot find a public 
facility that has space or will accept a person who is detoxifying 
from methadone. Detoxifying from methadone is more difficult both 
physically and mentally than alcohol or any of the street drugs. So 
he is left to fight the battle on his own, with the occasional visit 
to a street physician. Not being in a controlled environment only 
lowers his chances of success. Maybe there is a private facility; but 
not everyone can afford thousands of dollars a month.

Our governments commit us to megaprojects that leave us with huge 
debts for current and future generations, but continue to ignore the 
social issues that are eroding our society and quality of life.

Brian Belcher

Victoria
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