Pubdate: Fri, 19 Aug 2011
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2011 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Alex McCuaig

REGRESSION IN DRUG FIGHT

The fight against drug addiction in the province took a big step 
backwards this week with the Alberta Health Services' decision to 
cancel the program that handed out free crack pipes.

The harm reduction program represented one of the most cost-effective 
ways of dealing with addiction. Though perhaps a counter-intuitive 
way of tackling the problem, it was one of the most successful.

Now, the vicious circle continues.

Step one of that circle starts with Mr. A waking up one morning and 
finding his car window smashed for a few valuables. It continues when 
he finds himself facing problems getting medical treatment because of 
a clogged and over-burdened health system. It continues when he gets 
his tax bill which pays for the legal system and policing.

Step two sees Mr. A complain about all these problems and is told a 
good chunk of these issues start with drug addiction -- men and women 
who have delved into the dark world of serial drug abuse who will do 
just about anything to feed the habit. They'll bust into Mr. A's car 
and a dozen others nightly, commit property crime on a wholesale 
basis to pay for drugs and chronically be arrested. Dirty needles and 
crack pipes will be shared spreading communicable diseases with 
drugs, destroying formerly productive individuals from the inside out 
while addling their minds. As for medical treatment, it's sought only 
during the most advance stages of illness.

Step three sees Mr. A say something has to be done. Panels of 
streetworkers, doctors, addiction experts and politicians gather to 
address the issue. They come up with a philosophy that is both 
cost-effective and addresses the problem head-on; Provide 25-cent 
needles and pipes to cut the spread of disease. Use that point of 
contact to provide addiction counselling and basic medical care. Back 
counselling up with housing support.

Step four sees small but measurable results that display 
exponentially higher achievement rates of success in treating drug 
addiction than anything tried before. Streetworkers find that despite 
the cost of counselling and social support, every success story costs 
the state less socially and economically than not doing anything but 
arresting and detaining.

Step five, Mrs. B doesn't like the idea and starts complaining to 
politician C, saying the program actually makes the problem worse -- 
despite not having any facts and evidence to counter the claim. The 
program gets axed.

Step six is a return to step one and finding the money, program and 
expertise to develop whole new steps 2, 3 and 4. And hope Mrs. B, Mr. 
and Mrs. D through Z take part in the process to avoid step five.

(Alex McCuaig is a reporter with the Medicine Hat News. You can
comment on this and other editorials online at 
www.medicinehatnews.com/opinions) 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart