Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jan 2012
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: G. Phillip Braun

FORGET HARM REDUCTION, LET'S HAVE DOPE REDUCTION INSTEAD

Dr. Anthony Ocana's recent letter to the editor is indicative of the 
liberal view of drug addiction in this city by a select list of 
special-interest groups that is turning us into a haven for crack 
addicts, heroin addicts and other socially destructive behaviours. I 
am tired of it.

Firstly, Dr. Ocana should understand that the media are supposed to 
provide a balanced view of issues. I guess editorialists are now no 
longer allowed to express opinions in Vancouver, in particular around 
socially critical issues like drugs because we wouldn't want to upset 
people like him.

I always find the so called expert's choice of the words "harm 
reduction"  pathetic when it comes to these programs. Harm reduction? 
How about some dope reduction!

Secondly, I thank him for his explanation of "fundamentals of 
neurobiology"  for those of us who "don't understand addiction" . 
Sounds like all of us in this town are stupid and Dr. Ocana has all 
the answers. Every time someone criticizes or has an opposing view of 
Insite or any of the other drug/ alcohol related harm-reduction 
programs in town we get branded as unaware, ignorant or need to be 
better educated on drug/alcohol addiction by people like him.

Frankly, I can do without Dr. Ocana's form of education. We have 
ideas and solutions, but, suggesting anything that isn't providing a 
place to shoot up, provide a crack pipe, free alcohol or explain how 
it's better to snort heroin instead of injecting it is likely going 
to be viewed as a suggestion from the "uninformed."

Finally, I find his comparison of a cancer patient to a drug addict 
an insult. How can he conclude a child with any form of cancer is no 
different from some crack addict?

Our city and provincial leaders need to start listening to the silent 
majority. I am sick of the drugs, their effects and the direction the 
city is taking relative to their bogus harm-reduction programs. Harm 
reduction is some theorist's view of a utopian response to people who 
simply don't want to be responsible for their actions.

G. Phillip Braun,

Vancouver
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