Pubdate: Mon, 12 Sep 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jeff Munroe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

DRUG ADDICTION IS AN ILLNESS

As barbaric as a program to help inject drug addicts sounds to letter 
writer Barry Joneson, one should consider the deep, sordid level that any 
addict has reached.

Joneson assumes, like many others, that an addict is able to just "kick the 
habit," and get over it, much as one might quit a case of the munchies at 
midnight.

But sometimes addiction is so intense that quitting "cold turkey" may 
actually cause death.

Addiction, no matter how ignoble, is an illness.

Harm reduction isn't designed to appear perfect to those that think we all 
are equally strong, sane, and righteous.

Think of it this way: would you deny a cancer patient pain medication?

Jeff Munroe,

Langley 
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