Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002
Source: Fort Saskatchewan Record, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Fort Saskatchewan Record
Contact:  http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/824
Author: Dick Easton
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2291/a08.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

CUT DOWN INCIDENCE OF HIV, HEPATITIS

In a recent editorial Mr. Kindred expressed concern about plans to create 
"safe use sites" for drug users. Kindred argues that addiction results from 
"life style choices' and that there is no reason why we should cater to the 
addict.

So what? It's a fluke of history that cigarettes are legal and heroine is 
not. It would be extraordinarily difficult to find a single drug which is 
harmful to the user and his society that nicotine.

The government in recognition of that fact, has chosen a concert of 
strategies designed to reduce the number of smokers in the population. The 
grim reaper is, of course, doing his part. The model might be called a harm 
reduction approach, we make it more difficult for people to smoke, provide 
assistance to those who wish to quit and we educate the young potential smoker.

If this approach works, and there is evidence it is working, it is because 
it wastes no time and energy in making and acting on moral judgments.

In case Kindred hasn't noticed, the world is presently caught up in the 
throes of a pandemic of historic proportions. In North America dirty 
needles are a major source of HIV and hepatitis infection. HIV is extremely 
expensive to treat.

So cut down the incidence of HIV infection and you save a lot of money, you 
eliminate a great deal of misery, and develop a working relationship with 
the addict that makes him more amenable to treatment. It's that simple, it 
really is. Injection sites will save money and, if you care, lives .

Dick Easton, Fort Saskatchewan
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager