Pubdate: Mon, 15 Aug 2005
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Paul Lidgate

ADDICTION PUZZLE NEEDS ACTION

Jody Paterson is right: There's no single solution that can cure all of our 
social ills ("One small blunder can set us on the wrong course, Aug. 12). 
We do need a broader spectrum of services for the thousands of people in 
our community with drug addictions. But we can't wait for all the puzzle 
pieces to line up neatly.

When it comes to issues that span jurisdictions, we're seldom handed a 
complete solution. And facing a crisis situation, we need to pursue 
measures that can make a difference. For those who need our help today, the 
wait for a full continuum of services to arrive may be too long.

I give our city council and the Vancouver Island Health Authority credit 
for exploring the issue and identifying a range of measures that could 
help. Now we need to ensure they take the next step, and act.

Paul Lidgate

Victoria. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth