Pubdate: Mon, 05 Dec 2016
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Dorothy Davis
Page: A9

SHOOTINGS REVEAL FAILURE OF POLICY

Re: "'We have a problem' city councillor suggests," Nov. 30.

If the current spate of shootings is, as suggested by the police, due
to "chaotic situations" created by drug users, then it is high time
the province takes a hard look at how other societies have drastically
changed their policies in the war against drugs.

In countries such as Switzerland and Portugal, a shift to treating
addiction as a health issue, rather than moral weakness or crime, has
led to benefits and cost savings.

Harm reduction policies provide safe controls for addicted citizens
and serve as an access point for further treatment.

To stabilize the opioid epidemic, Alberta needs to reallocate its
resources to evidence-based treatments and policies.

Fentanyl is a symptom of our failing system.

The police themselves say we cannot arrest our way out of this, but
with the surge of shootings, one has to wonder are they going to try
and shoot and kill their way out?

What sort of training are our police receiving?

Let's invest some money in better training so that the police have
more understanding and empathy for those with mental health and
addiction issues, and when confronted, do not reach for their guns.

Dorothy Davis, Calgary
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MAP posted-by: Matt