Pubdate: Tue, 10 Dec 2002
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author:  Frank Bucholtz
Note: Link to the Table of Contents of Monday's report discussed below 
http://www.parl.gc.ca/InfoComDoc/37/2/SNUD/Studies/Reports/snudrp01/08-toc-e.htm 

Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)
http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Commons+committee (Commons committee)

GOING MAINSTREAM

This may be the week that drugs pass from being a furtive part of
Canadian society to becoming as mainstream as cigarettes and alcohol.

A Commons committee on drug use is expected to recommend
decriminalization of marijuana possession Thursday, and it is likely
the Liberal government will bring in legislation to that effect. This
will make it perfectly proper (if not technically legal) to grow and
smoke marijuana for personal use.

On Monday, the same committee recommended that safe injection sites
for drugs be established on a trial basis. and that at least two
federal prisons become treatment centres.

Langley-Abbotsford MP Randy White, vice-chair of the committee,
strongly disagrees with the recommendation on safe injection sites,
and it is likely he also will condemn the decriminalization of marijuana.

While White is being called a variety of names for his stance by
people like new Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell, who ride the safe
injection issue to a massive victory in last month's municipal
election, he makes a very valid point.

Does providing a medically-safe place to inject heroin and cocaine
really benefit drug addicts? Or does it simply prolong their years of
addiction?

I'm no expert. However, I have met many people over the years who have
managed to get off drugs, and not one of them has ever said that they
supported the idea of safe injection sites.

Many have said that the atmosphere in places like the downtown
eastside of Vancouver makes it impossible to kick the drug habit.
That's logical -- can you imagine trying to quit drinking while going
to the pub on a daily basis?

The focus of any national drug strategy should be on keeping people
away from drug use. While occasional use of marijuana may not be a
substantial health risk, it certainly doesn't improve one's health.
Hard drugs do a lot to wreck one's health in a hurry.

Making drugs easier to get seems to be a step in the wrong direction.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake