Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2000
Date: 07/19/2000
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Author: Chuck Beyer
Note: title by MAP

The heroin addict has been robbed of true choice by the very people
who wash their hands of these deaths.

A true choice would involve legal abstinence and legal
use.

The addict is also robbed of the choice of choosing a regulated
product with an identifiable dosage. This causes most deaths. The
choice of legal heroin also eliminates the involvement in property
crimes and prostitution.

In this world all actions have unintended consequences. Prohibition is
no exception. Quantum theory analogy dictates that even an observer
has an effect on any system. Prohibitionists are no mere observers.
Their policy is largely responsible for the genocide in Downtown East
Vancouver.

Mouthing platitudes about personal responsibility does not absolve the
prohibitionists of the critical role they play in the death of addicts.

Chuck Beyer,
Victoria, B.C.