Pubdate: Wed, 05 Oct 2016
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Kenneth Mintz
Page: A9

SAFE-INJECTION SITES SHOULD PROVIDE DRUGS

Re: "Municipal politicians wrestle with fallout from overdose crisis," 
Sept. 28. Safe-injection sites, modelled on Vancouver's Insite, will 
soon be a reality in Victoria.

The justification for these is that they reduce harm to the addict. On
the other hand, it can be argued that they act as enablers so that the
addict can avoid responsibility for his actions.

We should note that the drug addict has to bring his or her own drug
to the site. In most cases, the drug will have been purchased on the
street. These drugs are often contaminated, most recently with fentanyl.

The addict often has to commit property crimes to obtain the money for
the drug; the money goes to drug gangs, which are responsible for a
majority of homicides in B.C. Unfortunately, our legal system, which
comprises police, judges and politicians, has been ineffective at
eliminating the illegal drug trade.

Although I am in favour of compulsory drug rehabilitation, I am aware
that the majority of our decision-makers are opposed to that, on the
grounds that it takes away individual freedom.

Therefore, reluctantly, I suggest that the safe-injection sites should
provide free drugs for confirmed addicts. Then there would be no
problem with contaminated drugs, property crime would be reduced and
the drug gangs would go out of business.

Kenneth Mintz

Victoria
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