The former West Vancouver police chief and solicitor general and two former Vancouver mayors are now heads of boards of so-called "medical marijuana" companies. It brings to mind the lyrics of that great song, Money, from Cabaret: "Money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round, "Money makes the world go round, it makes the world go round." David Berner, Vancouver [end]
A report by the B. C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/ AIDS on harm reduction programs and Insite released last month is not science; it's public relations. Authors Drs. Julio Montaner, Thomas Kerr and Evan Wood have produced nearly two dozen papers on the use of Insite. They boast of good results in connecting addicts to treatment but convincing evidence is lacking. The current campaign reports significant reductions in drug overdoses, yet the Government of British Columbia Selected Vital Statistics and Health Status Indicators show that the number of deaths from drug overdose in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside has increased each year ( with one exception) since the site opened in 2003. [continues 576 words]
To the editor: Re: "12th and Cambie," Sept. 22. Mike Howell has written this week about Dean Wilson hanging out with the premier and lodging complaints to the Vancouver Police Board. Wilson is the spokesperson for VANDU, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users. VANDU argues that it's an addict's right to be enslaved to drugs and to commit crimes and to live a limited life conscribed by misery, poverty and stupidity. Unfortunately, many people listen to this drivel. [continues 60 words]
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement is on a dangerous mission. Clement is bucking the accepted wisdom and the official stories about safe-injection sites such as Vancouver's Insite. He knows these are hideous mistakes that help very few. He knows the facts have been manipulated by doctors and social workers and politicos to support a program that is a deadly waste. Addressing the Canadian Medical Association the other day, Clement said: "Over the last five years, while Insite has been operating, we could have provided treatment to 5,000 addicts. [continues 385 words]
Driving While Stoned On Drugs Is Going Out Of Fashion. Just after Canada Day, police across the country will be empowered to pull you over and question your clear-headedness. If you don't agree to a roadside test, like walking a straight line, you may be required to go to a police station and possibly have to donate a blood, urine or saliva sample. As soon as this new federal legislation came to light all the usual suspects raised the familiar hullabaloo about privacy and civil rights. [continues 390 words]
Would you cross the street to give a drunk a clean shot glass? Of course not. But that only means you have better instincts and more common sense in your pinkie finger than all the geniuses in the Ministry of Health. Yesterday, this newspaper headlined the news that free plastic mouthpieces are on the way for crack pipes and their users. Apparently, all five provincial health authorities will participate in this giveaway. The rationale is that this will stem the tide of hepatitis C -- spread, we are told, by sharing crack pipes. [continues 383 words]
Vancouver residents Susie and Robert Ruttan have been wrestling with the issues of addictions for a decade now. They had to. In a few short years, their teenage son went from pot to heroin to speedballs. At his lowest, he cried out in despair: "Give up on me, Dad!" Giving up, though, isn't in the Ruttan dictionary. After discovering that there was nowhere for teen addicts to go for help in B.C., they flew their son to the Portage residential drug-treatment centre in Quebec. [continues 409 words]
No sooner had the Pickton verdict been aired than every wiseacre in town felt compelled to add his wisdom to the mix. Most pointed to the obvious fact that the verdict does nothing to alleviate the conditions that allowed these monstrosities to occur. The scourges of addictions and prostitution have been named the enemy, at least until 2010 has come and gone. Most hookers, whether of the Downtown Eastside or four-star hotel vintage, are addicts of one kind or another. They make their so-called living by renting out their privates by the hour. You think there is something honourable about such a life? [continues 376 words]
Re: Injection site not luring new users, study finds, Aug. 15 Here is a brief list of the people who support safe injection sites and heroin "treatment" programs (an oxymoron with the credibility of "military intelligence" or "happy marriage"): Junkies, who want more free everything; Social service organizations, whose million-dollar grants, personal salaries, power and purpose are dependent on such madness; Academics and eggheads, who wouldn't know an addict or a moral or compassion if they tripped over a barrel of addicts, morals or compassion; Mayors, senators and ex-mayors who are always all about Me, except when they are about More of Me. All other real citizens of real communities have a natural and legitimate abhorrence for these retrogressive public policies. Not that anybody asked . David Berner Vancouver [end]
