Pubdate: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Alan Randell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1428/a07.html WE NEED SAFE SITES FOR USERS Editor, The News: James Murray pours scorn on the plan to set up safe injection sites for drug users by asking, "If we supply drugs and other amenities to drug addicts, aren't smokers and alcoholics entitled to the same benefits?" No, James, they are not, because tobacco and alcohol are legal drugs, and if illegal drugs were legalized, we wouldn't need any safe injection sites either. However, since the federal government has seen fit to continue having the police hound innocent drug users, the Fraser Valley Health Board has, properly in my view, decided to save lives by setting up safe injection sites. If alcohol were banned, the board would be well advised to set up a safe drinking site to reduce the number of users dying from ingesting adulterated booze. Ditto for tobacco. Alan Randell Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: