Pubdate: Sat, 25 Aug 2001
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Section: Page A14
Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Tom Regehr

AN ADDICT'S STORY

Brampton, Ont. -- Six years ago, I had an apartment that looked out over 
downtown Brampton and across the street into Tony Clement's office. I had 
thought about going to see my MPP with my problem, but an election was on 
- -- the one that brought the present Ontario government to power the first time.

My problem was that I wanted to go into a detox centre and a 28-day 
treatment centre for drug-and-alcohol addiction but, if I did, my welfare 
would be cut off because being out of town for that length of time was 
against the rules. I wanted help but couldn't get it.

I had been drinking and using drugs for about 25 years and, in the previous 
seven years, had been milking welfare one town at a time and augmenting my 
income with petty fraud all over the place. I had been on the street, and, 
in those last two years, I visited my doctor regularly for ultrasounds, 
X-rays or blood work, costing OHIP copious dollars.

I got the treatment anyway (my welfare worker told me how to lie to get 
past the rules) and was off welfare in eight months. I've had nothing but 
yearly checkups at the doctor for five years, and I am gainfully employed 
- -- paying taxes! I have a wonderful home, the respect and love of family 
and friends, and I help the occasional addict with some volunteer work I do.

Your editorial (To Decriminalize The Use Of Drugs -- Aug. 22) cites the 
common idea, "Invest a dollar in treating drug addiction . . . and $6 will 
be saved in other costs to society. Others have calculated the net gain to 
be greater still."

When I go downtown to meetings for the volunteer work, I drive by 
stairwells I used to sleep in. I drive to work past houses where I used to 
pay $5 at a side window for a couple of Percodans. And I drive to see my 
mother and I can look her in the eye and hug her and accept her love. Put a 
value on that.

The treatment system was good for me. I am healthy and clean. But I look at 
the waiting lists now and at addicted friends who went back to using drugs 
after hearing about waiting months to get an assessment, and I shudder.

To the business side of Health Minister Tony Clement, I say this: Where 
else could you get a 600 per cent return on investment? And to Tony, the 
man with kids and family, I say this: I have a soul, I have my life back. 
Thousands of Ontarians don't -- they are on waiting lists and they are 
suffering. As a province, we need to invest here and we need to do it now.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth