Pubdate: Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Ben Perlini,

TREATMENT CENTRES NEEDED NOW

Dear Editor,

I would like to further add to the letter to the editor in last week's Gazette.

I really don't think the public really truly understand or know the 
seriousness of this rampant disease called addiction up here on the 
North Island. I truly believe that if we start to focus and 
concentrate on this disease more than others, we will solve a huge 
percentage of deaths, diseases, accidents, family and social issues 
along with a string full of others.

It's not only the alcoholics or addicts that suffer but the family 
and friends of those that do also. And that's not even mentioning the 
local community.

I mean if you want to look at the big picture let's look at the crime 
rate when you have a town full of addicts and alcoholics. It 
obviously goes sky high putting more strain on the police.

You know I've donated tens of thousands of dollars to the people of 
my country. I've donated to Salvation Army, homeless people on the 
streets, churches, hospitals, street programs for kids, addicts, 
alcoholics, half-way homes and the list goes on.

And I believe that if we as the general public get together and look 
at the percentage numbers of who have or ever had had a problem with 
addiction then we could come together as one and reveal this fixable disease.

But as everything in life things cost money. And unfortunately 
treatment or recovery centers cost money.

I offer the town of Port Hardy and surrounding North Island districts this:

Let's seriously look at this disease called addiction and start 
raising the money or funds needed to build and open up treatment and 
recovery centers, not only up here on the North Island but throughout Canada.

The disease of addiction is like a very high percentage rate of 
cancer. But this cancer leaves behind nothing but darkness and destruction.

The government thinks that adding more very expensive equipment and 
police officers to the force is going to take this problem away.

I don't think so. For every dealer that gets busted another pops up 
and prospers.

In order to build a bridge we need to plan. And when we plan then we 
can create. And when we create then we solve the problem.

So let's build together a bridge of education and treatment centers 
for a better future not just for you as an individual but for the 
whole world as well.

Remember this powerful old quote "Strength survives by numbers."

And so it goes with recovery and the treatment centers so desperately 
needed in this sick fragile world that we and our future generation live in.

Ben Perlini,

Port Hardy
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine