Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jul 2012
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Johannes B. Kelder

THE ADDITION OF DETOX IS VITAL TO PROPER REDUCTION

Editor, the Times:

Hands up everyone who is not in favour of "harm reduction".

I thought so. We all want to reduce "harm", if possible. But what 
doesn't seem to be part of the "harm-reduction" proponents' 
discussion is addressing the question: "Where do the drugs that are 
consumed at the sites come from, and how do the addicts get the money 
to pay for them?"

The stark reality is that almost all the drugs are bought from gangs 
with money garnered from stolen goods and other illegal activity (the 
main exception being monthly welfare cheques, which are funded by taxpayers).

So, what about the "harm" that is caused to businesses and 
individuals in a community by the theft of everything from jewelry 
and electronics to copper wire from light poles?

Should we not try to reduce that harm? Have we considered the effect 
on our society of the gang activity that is fueled by drug trafficking?

Until, as a society, we are prepared to provide, free of charge, 
drugs to addicts who use the "Insite" facilities, we are simply 
shifting the harm from the addicts to everyone else in our communities.

Kudos to Mayor Banman for insisting on having detox facilities as an 
essential part of a plan to reduce "harm".

Johannes B. Kelder

Abbotsford
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom