Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2016 Source: Cowichan Valley Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 Cowichan Valley Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/cowichanvalleycitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4349 Author: Dr. Anthony Mathews HEALTH DOLLARS GOING TO CRACK PIPES, SYRINGES It is without doubt ironic that you use the word 'crack' in your editorial when hundreds of millions of Canadian dollars are thrown down the drain with regards to the so-called "harm reduction" in the form of freebies to the drug dealers and drug addicts. Like all things, it started with a simple idea of giving syringes to prevent the spread of hepatitis. Then they were advised by the drug companies to give them crack pipes, push sticks, mouth pieces, swabs, heroin fryers and rubber bands etc. Please note the rubber bands are medical rubber bands and the crack pipes are medical crack pipes. That way the drug companies make more profit. So what we have is Rick [Alexander] paying his Medical Services Plan premiums and the same people using those premiums to give harm reduction items to individuals that do not contribute anything to the MSP or society, other than to increase the crime rates, especially in Victoria. (Ref. Prof. Neil McKeganey's book Controversies in Drugs Policy & Practice.) Good luck with drawing it to the attention of the provincial politicians who are presently purchasing three more buildings to give free accommodation to some of the above. Dr. Anthony Mathews Cobble Hill - --- MAP posted-by: Matt