Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jan 2002
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Ross A. Smith
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n050/a07.html?1146
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

HARSH REALITIES

As President of Street Health's Board of Directors, I object to the 
depiction of our organization and its clients as depicted by Sue-Ann Levy 
and the subject of her article, Kathleen Kelly ("Another crackpot scheme 
your taxes pay for," Jan. 13). Ms. Kelly is a concerned citizen, who 
disagrees with what she sees as a misuse of taxpayers' money, when in fact, 
no tax dollars are spent on this particular Street Health program.

Street Health has worked tirelessly since 1986 to address the basic health 
care needs of Toronto's homeless and other marginalized residents. Such 
care includes preventative efforts such as the harm reduction strategies 
unjustly criticized in Levy's column.

The arguments presented in this article are not only false, they are also 
overly simplified and potentially undermining to Street Health's deservedly 
excellent reputation. Our work to help prevent increased public health 
risks among this group of homeless people is interpreted as the promotion 
of illegal activities.

The Ontario Ministry of Health, the City of Toronto, and Health Canada, not 
to mention scores of caring individuals who annually express their support 
for our work through private donations, provide funds to us because of 
Street Health's ability to provide for, and long-standing commitment to the 
needs of homeless people in Toronto.

We supply clean needles, pipes and alcohol swabs because they help limit 
the spread of HIV and AIDS. This in no way enables drug use; it merely 
reduces the risks associated with such activity. Our eyes are open to the 
realities of life in Toronto, which includes homelessness, drug use and 
prostitution.

Private donors have generously and exclusively supported the production of 
safe crack kits. They have told us where they want their money to go and 
have thus contributed to a humane response to a serious public health 
issue. The author and Ms. Kelly can rest assured that their tax dollars are 
not being used in this aspect of Street Health's work, nor are they 
contributing to reducing homelessness. The homeless crisis as it exists 
today has resulted from fiscal tightening which has virtually eliminated 
any new supply of affordable housing.

We invite Ms. Levy, Ms. Kelly and the Toronto Sun to learn more about the 
harsh realities which exist in the Toronto of today. The public deserves a 
fact-based, enlightened and current view of our city.

Ross A. Smith

President

Street Health Board of Directors

(Levy's column stated Street Health and its partners had received grants 
totalling $100,000, but your request for extra money to buy items for the 
kits was turned down. We didn't mean to imply that tax dollars paid 
directly for the kits)
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MAP posted-by: Beth