Pubdate: Sat, 23 Nov 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Nancy Upton

USE WOODWARD'S BUILDING TO SOLVE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS

Why not use the Woodward's building for a safe injection site, as well as a 
treatment centre (Woodward's deal dead after new bid rejected, Nov. 22)? It 
seems to me the building could be turned into a treatment centre that 
offered addicts a haven for safe injection while they undergo live-in 
treatment. It would cost a great deal of money to turn the building into a 
facility capable of housing all these addicts, but right now it is costing 
money to keep them alive.

Only addicts willing to be confined to "Woodward House" for six months to a 
year for treatment would be allowed to use the safe-injection room, while 
being weaned off the drugs. There is no point in having addicts get their 
injection then go back out into the world in which they are lost without 
treatment. Addicts not committing to live-in treatment would be a policing 
problem, with junkies jailed for using illegal drugs on the street.

Why should we fear sending our kids to college downtown or to TinselTown or 
to clubs in the Downtown Eastside? We cannot continue to let addicts use 
illegal drugs on the street without consequences. Else, why bother saying 
drugs are illegal? Whoever decides what is to be done with Woodward's and 
other buildings like it should consider the advantages of using these 
vacant buildings in an effort to work toward cleaning up this city and its 
addicted citizens.

Nancy Upton

West Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Tom