Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 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
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n701/a06.html?57886

EX-ADDICTS HAVE ANSWERS

I'm responding to Alan Ferguson's column about crystal meth.

Until we have treatment on demand for addicts, we shouldn't be spending 
taxpayers' money on enablers for addicts such as safe-injection sites.

I think politicians wouldn't be so afraid to raise the topic of crystal 
meth if there seemed to be a solution to the problem.

Throwing money at a problem that has no definitive solution is a risky 
political move.

Someone has to come up with a unique program that deals with the unique 
problems of crystal-meth recovery.

The best way would be to talk to some of the many meth addicts that have 
successfully stopped using. Ask them what they think helped most in their 
treatment.

Sadly, some psychologist or other professional will come up with a program 
that probably won't work, and that is where all the money will go.

Barry Joneson,

Burnaby 
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MAP posted-by: Beth