Pubdate: Sat, 19 Nov 2016
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Monica Babic
Page: A13

PAY ADDICTS TO GET CLEAN AND STAY CLEAN

I'm a 61-year-old "addict enabler" with more than 300 years of
addiction exposure among family and friends. I believe harm reduction
policies further damage hard drug users.

Whether heroin, cocaine, meth, or "medical" marijuana (that topic
needs another letter), all levels of government actively support the
illicit drug industry. The city and province likely can't afford to
eradicate hard street drugs because addiction and its related services
and products is very big business here, employing many. Truly, neither
the addict, nor community at large is protected.

Counsellors I saw about the addiction issues of my family members,
friends, etc., recommended tough love. They advised me to stop
financing the addiction destruction by paying bills, buying groceries
and more. This city's addicts can get free and/or cheap drug
equipment, clothing, food, meds, dental, housing, furniture,
transportation and soon a safe place to shoot up, too.

It's difficult to quit any addiction, especially as it's impossible to
get counselling when you're ready for it. Thus, it's time for
something completely different and revolutionary that'll give addicts
the tools and desire to care about themselves.

My suggestion is that we pay addicts to get clean and stay clean
instead of using a ridiculous amount of money to keep them addicted.
I'm confident it would be less expensive and would be the surest way
to save lives too. If we care about addicts, we must motivate them to
heal and discontinue the self-destructive habits whatever way we can.

Monica Babic

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Matt