Pubdate: Thu, 14 Feb 2002
Source: Christian News (CN BC)
Section: Readers' Forum
Copyright: 2002 Christian News
Contact:  http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/index
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1697
Author: Art Steinmann, Horst Jaeger
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n182/a08.html?1864

MORE GRAPPLING WITH DRUG USE

Editor, BC Christian News:

Re 'Grappling with drug use' (January): While the debate over safe 
injection sites is essential, we were disappointed to see no mention of how 
can we prevent substance abuse before these kinds of sites are necessary.

Research shows that early prevention education reduces the early onset of 
substance use, and that delaying early alcohol and other drug use leads to 
a reduced likelihood of misuse or addiction. Also, for every dollar spent 
on prevention, an estimated $15 is saved on health care, enforcement and 
treatment costs.

Images of addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside may cause many to call 
for more treatment programs. But we have no further to look than our own 
children -- and our community's classrooms -- for a way to prevent 
substance abuse.

Art Steinmann,
Executive director, Alcohol-Drug Education Service,
Vancouver

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Editor, BC Christian News:

It is unfortunate that Mayor Philip Owen ('Mayor addresses Vancouver's drug 
problem,' January) sees fundamental churches as narrow-minded and 
"basically very dangerous." In essence, he is declaring that Christ -- whom 
he professes to believe in -- is a very-narrow minded individual.

I would like to see the mayor and his associates show up for prayer to 
almighty God each Tuesday before city council meetings. They need to trust 
God that he will clean up the Lower Mainland, if they humble themselves 
before him.

If this is too simple and 'narrow-minded' for them, let them use the 
'86-page document' they put so much faith in; they will find out that it's 
not worth the paper it's written on.

God has his own document, called the Bible. It is dangerous to try 
bettering the world without consulting God's word.

Horst Jaeger,
Saved By Grace Ministry,
Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Alex