Pubdate: Fri, 13 Apr 2012
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Colin Alexander

ONE PIECE OF THE DRUG-TREATMENT PUZZLE

The question of providing safe injection sites is largely one of
priorities.

The biggest need is for treatment programs like the successful but
insufficiently available one former CMA president Dr. Brian Day runs
for alcoholics. He has proven conclusively that real help for those in
the greatest need is cost-effective even without considering the human
and societal benefits.

Arguably the single greatest need is for expanded drug-rehabilitation
and employment-counselling programs, which can be run in conjunction
with safe injection sites. I understand that the waiting list for
acceptance into these programs is months long. By the time there's an
opening, the moment has passed for too many addicts. In the meantime
petty crime that everyone pays for is likely to continue to finance
the addiction.

Providing a safe injection site is almost certainly worthwhile on its
own, but it's a bit like giving just one shoe to someone with no shoes.

Colin Alexander, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Matt