Pubdate: Thu, 06 Feb 2003
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author:  Fred Moore
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n191/a02.html

DILEMMA WITH POOR DECISIONS

Editor, The News:

In his letter of Jan. 30 (`Harm reduction decision uninformed,' Viewpoint),
Christoph Reiners suggests that "One would expect city council to care for
(the) disadvantaged."

Perhaps we are forgetting a vital part of this admittedly difficult problem
of drug abuse.

Were those on drugs forced into that position?

Or is it possible that they are actually suffering the result of poor
choices they have made?

How has their situation now become society's responsibility?

Please don't misunderstand me.

I believe in compassion and caring, with all my heart.

But at the same time, everyone needs to be reminded that we are all
personally responsible for the choices we make.

If we choose to experiment with drugs, and become addicted to those
substances, must others then be responsible for taking care of us?

In the same issue of the Abbotsford News, James Murray's letter (`Addicted
to handouts?') shows the logical result of refusing to recognize the issue
of personal responsibility.

It makes sense to provide drug rehabilitation centres so that those who want
to get out of addiction will have that help.

But what will mobile drug-dispensing units, needle exchanges and safe
injection sites do for the addicts but prolong their dependence on drug use?

Hold people responsible for the decisions they make.

Help the addicts get off drugs - that is the truly compassionate solution to
the problem.

Fred Moore
Abbotsford
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MAP posted-by: Josh