Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2016
Source: Cambridge Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland
Contact:  http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/cambridge-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3423
Author: Darryl Randall

ILLEGAL DRUG USE SIMPLY ISN'T SAFE, STOP IT

Dear Editor,

This is the second time I feel compelled to respond to one of Violet
Umanetz's comments regarding the danger of drugs (article titled
"Getting the word out about drug overdoses", published Sept. 8).

The first time, the heading of my letter to the Times was entitled, by
the editor. "If you want to stay safe, don't use illegal drugs"
(published March 29); and that's about it.

After that first letter was published, I was stopped on the street,
and received telephone calls and text-messages from people who agreed
with what I said.

Street/recreational drugs are illegal, but Ms. Umanetz does not once
use the word "illegal" in her article. (I will add the word in my letter.)

She likens the use of sunscreen and seatbelts to drug users also
requiring a means of harm reduction. You want some means of harm
reduction: Don't do illegal drugs!

There you go.

She also states, "There are a lot of people in our community who use
drugs, and they deserve to be safe; they deserve to be cared for the
way the rest of us are".

Health-care and safety precautions are to keep people safe from the
effects of a legal activity like sun-bathing and driving a car, not an
illegal activity like "doing" illegal drugs.

When you "do" illegal drugs, you will probably have some tragic
results. Illegal drug use is a choice, and those who make that choice
should be aware of the consequences. The logic here, to me, is so simple.

A colleague of hers, one Natasha Campbell, even mentors us by stating,
"If you're going to do recreation drugs, a small amount to start with
is good practise". Thank you for that, Ms. Campbell. And, she should
have used the word "illegal", rather than "recreational".

We all make choices, whether it be a legal activity like smoking or
drinking, or an illegal activity like "doing drugs". We all know
smoking, drinking and drugs are harmful, so beware.

And, "doing drugs", is illegal to boot.

Darryl Randall

Cambridge
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MAP posted-by: Matt