Pubdate: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 Source: Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing, & Distributing, LTD Contact: http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/info/ajax/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2104 Author: Mike LaPointe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) DRUG WAR IS A FARCE, EFFORTS NOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE What Exactly Is The War On Drugs, Anyway? 'The war on drugs' is the buzzword forefather of today's popular 'weapons of mass destruction,' but at least we vaguely know what the latter catchphrase means. The war on drugs, on the other hand, seems to be an ongoing struggle that makes little progress (unless you cite the occasional arrest on 'COPS' a great leap forward towards ridding the world of substance abuse). Who is the enemy in this war? Is it the pathetic cousin who borrows money from every relative and always paws at his nose, or the stereotypical image of the Columbian drug lord slitting throats and exploiting the naiveties of our wholesome youth for his debauched benefit? In actuality, the true enemy that constantly plagues the war on drugs is the government itself which seems either completely incapable or completely unwilling to attack the true root of this problem. We seek far too many easy answers, and don't spend enough time thoroughly investigating and subsequently curing substance addiction in our nation. Proof of this is Vancouver's recent decision to erect a 'safe injection site.' This centre is aimed at preventing the spread of syringe-transported disease amongst drug addicts. Those who are addicted to needle drugs can enter this building and, under medical supervision, 'safely inject' the drug. Those in charge supply you with a clean syringe and the government hopes to stifle the spread of such rampant diseases as Hepatitis. The entire concept of a 'safe injection site' is completely off-kilter. For instance, how can you safely inject a drug that is detrimental to your body itself? There is no such thing as a safe injection of heroin; it simply isn't possible. But more importantly, this centre does nothing to actually battle the problem of drugs which in turn causes all the needle diseases it was set up to prevent. It simply perpetuates the problem of drug use, because I sincerely doubt the addicts they treat will inject every last one of their fixes in that centre. It provides nothing more than a place for addicts to occasionally attend and get a clean fix. Once they are back on the street they will continue using dirty needles, if convenient, rendering the centre completely irrelevant. Even worse, this centre will divert necessary funds from treatment centres that rehabilitate those with addictions. These proven rehab centres gouge out the heart of the issue. They attack the cause, not the consequence. Battling the addictions should be the main focus of those commanding this 'war on drugs.' No progress is made when all they attempt to do is maintain the status quo. As a society we should take our focus away from the harrowing Columbian drug lord and concentrate efforts on the addiction, the source, the one true problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom