Pubdate: Wed, 4 Jun 2008
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2008, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n571/a06.html
Author: Graham Kosakoski

LOGIC-INJECTION SITE

In disagreeing with the B.C. Supreme Court judge's decision to protect
Vancouver's safe-injection site, Margaret Wente argues that the real
solution is to stigmatize the "crack whores" like we do the smokers,
for their own good. Isn't the logic a little loose here? Society
stigmatizes the act of smoking because it thinks smokers should know
better. Society stigmatizes "crack whores" because it thinks they are
a pathetic bunch less worthy of kindness and support. How many readers
can honestly say they see humanity in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside?

Human dignity is a value central to our Constitution. It informs and
is informed by every Charter right we know. Thus, Mr. Justice Ian
Pitfield was not creating a "constitutional right for addicts to shoot
up"; rather, he was recognizing that our community's collective
dignity was being threatened by our government's disregard for human
life.

Graham Kosakoski, Kamloops, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake