Pubdate: Fri, 18 Aug 2017
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Bernard Shinder
Page: A11

HELP DRUG USERS LIVE A RELATIVELY NORMAL LIFE

Kudos to Michael Spratt for an excellent article. However, he does not
go far enough. Decriminalizing drugs and getting help to addicts is
the first step. Many countries in Europe take the next step: creating
a functional drug user.

What is the difference between a diabetic who must take insulin every
day to keep alive and a drug user who can't stay alive without an
injection of heroin? Both can take steps to improve their condition
but, until they do, society assists the diabetic by providing insulin.

Making it legal to use heroin is only the first step in providing
heroin so that the user can have a relatively normal life. That's
enlightenment.

Bernard Shinder, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Matt