Pubdate: Tue, 06 Dec 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Ed Grootenboer
Page: A6

DRUG CULTURE

Re: Fentanyl a 'game changer': Larkin - Dec. 1

Why is the availability of the drug fentanyl on our streets a "game
changer" for Police Chief Larkin or for anyone else concerned about
the welfare of those among us who choose to take illegal drugs? If the
prevention and eradication of street drugs is indeed a game, then
maybe our game plan is not working so well. Instead of facilitating
street drug use by establishing "safe" injection sites, providing free
needle programs, and seeing to it that the available illegal street
drugs don't kill you right away, as fentanyl apparently does, would
these efforts and resources not be better spent in intensifying drug
use prevention and in more help for those who want to break their
dependency on drugs?

Expending all these efforts to make us as sure as we can that street
drugs and the abuse of them are as safe as possible, and legalizing
marijuana, seem a lot like condoning, if not enabling, the drug
culture among us. More importantly, it sends a wrong message to our
youth, in particular, who can easily conclude that using drugs is
pretty safe and not nearly as hazardous as parents or teachers are
saying.

The common sense game plan would be to do all we can to assist those
unfortunate fellow human beings who get caught up in the drug culture
and help them return to a normal life. As for fentanyl and other new
drugs yet to come, let them stand as danger warnings to those who are
using or contemplating the use of street drugs.

Ed Grootenboer

Waterloo
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MAP posted-by: Matt