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) - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart