Pubdate: Tue, 18 Oct 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: Barry Joneson

CAMPBELL'S AGENDA GETS IN WAY

Larry Campbell is correct when he says "scare tactics and hype" 
surround the use of crystal meth.

But the same hype was applied when pure, cheap heroin hit the 
streets, killing hundreds of addicts yearly.

And the hype was there when crack cocaine came out, also with severe 
consequences.

But Mayor Campbell is dead wrong in assuming crystal meth isn't a 
huge Canadian problem.

He is so focused on providing housing, social services and safe- 
injection sites for heroin and cocaine addicts that any admission 
there is a bigger problem could interrupt his agenda.

The reality is a particular drug is not the problem, it is the most 
obvious symptom of the problem.

Until we realize this problem is deeper than drug-taking, and then 
focus on the root causes of addiction, we won't come up with much in 
the way of solutions.

Barry Joneson

Burnaby
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