Pubdate: Sun, 20 Aug 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v17/n255/a13.html
Author: Isolde Verbrugge
Page: A11

CONSUMPTION SITES NOT ABOUT WELLNESS

Re: "Consumption sites save lives," editorial, Aug. 9.

Drug addiction is one of many problematic symptoms seen in our society
today due to unfulfilled basic human needs such as love, community and
holistic wellness.

It is shameful to call a supervised drug-injection site a "health and
wellness centre." As a health and wellness professional, I ask: How
does providing a place for suffering, vulnerable persons to poison
themselves have anything to do with health or wellness?

Wellness is the "active process of becoming aware of and making
choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life," a "positive approach to
living." Health is defined as a "state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Supervised drug-injection sites: 1) continue demand for and production
of drugs, 2) reward addicts for using, 3) facilitate downtown drug
culture, and 4) drain limited government resources. Programs such as
Operation HOPE reward addicts for giving up drugs, which is arguably
the first step toward health and wellness.

Preventing deaths from drug overdose is admirable and compassionate,
but has nothing to do with health or wellness. By providing
safe-injection sites, our society normalizes drug abuse and
discourages health and wellness.

Isolde Verbrugge

Langford
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MAP posted-by: Matt