Pubdate: Sun, 11 Dec 2016 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.timescolonist.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n688/a04.html Author: Springfield Harrison Page: A11 PROVIDE CHEAP, CLEAN, LEGAL DRUGS FOR ADDICTS Re: "New investigation team aims to curb overdose deaths," Dec. 4. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. With drug users dying in record numbers, despite the proliferation of naloxone, the B.C. Coroners Service proposes to undertake a living-conditions study costing $450,000 and lasting until June 2017. Why isn't this being pursued by B.C. Mental Health and Substance Use Services as a mental-health issue? Why is it being undertaken at all? The fentanyl death situation has been declared a B.C. health emergency, and yet the best use of these funds is a study of living conditions so that "health authorities can target populations more at risk"? Overdose victims span a range of living conditions; all are at risk. We know that the addiction grip is extremely powerful, treatment outcomes are dubious and that illegal drugs are easily obtained. Harm-reduction programs and naloxone are Band-Aids, not solutions, and might even generate a false sense of hope in both society and the addict population. Instead of wasting $450,000 and enabling six more months of overdose fatalities, why not admit the true nature of the problem and work out the details of getting cheap, clean, legal drugs to the committed users? Many of them could continue living and then move toward a stable life, free of crime, perhaps even rejoining the workforce. Other jurisdictions are doing this. While politicians and bureaucrats struggle to find the backbone to effectively deal with this problem, more lives will be lost, families devastated and societal costs will balloon further. Springfield Harrison North Saanich - --- MAP posted-by: Matt