Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Mark Moore
Page: A11

IN THE SHORT TERM, PROVIDE SAFE DRUGS

Re: "New toxic drugs add to overdose crisis: coroner," Dec. 20. What has 
been done so far has been ineffective. What is being proposed will not 
stop this unprecedented amount of dying in any reasonable time frame.

Agreement between the RCMP and their Chinese counterparts is
unrealistic. The border will always be somewhat porous. Such
agreements won't produce quick and lasting results.

Adding treatment beds and counselling is long term.

Adding to the resources for first responders is playing an expensive,
and likely ineffective, game of catch-up.

Has consideration been given to, on a temporary basis, providing safe
drugs at no cost to those who are dependent upon them? And providing
safe drugs on a cost-recovery basis for those who admit to wanting
them for recreational purposes? This will go against all established
drug policy and laws, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
The federal and provincial governments must understand that this is a
crisis tantamount to a virulent epidemic, and act accordingly by
developing new measures. And it must be done immediately.

Only this sort of an emergency response will save lives in the short
term, and will allow the longer-term remedies time to work. It will
also cut off the criminals' revenue and probably save a ton of money
associated with current responses.

Mark Moore

Duncan
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MAP posted-by: Matt