Pubdate: Fri, 15 Dec 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Paul Szczesny
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1680/a03.html?291027

SECRET REPORT MERELY TROTS OUT THE RCMP'S OLD PREJUDICES ABOUT DRUG USE

It is no secret that the Harper government is no big fan of 
Vancouver's experimental initiatives to combat substance abuse. What 
does come as a surprise is the government's cowardly criticism using 
the RCMP as a medium. As the article notes, opponents feel that 
Insite "actually encourages drug use."

Is it any wonder why the RCMP paper on the subject was not released 
for public scrutiny? With unsupported statements about lower risks 
causing greater drug usage, this paper surely solidifies the 
deep-seated ignorance of the people already holding Prime Minister 
Stephen Harper's views. Unfortunately for anyone interested in truth, 
evidence or scientific honesty, the RCMP paper would surely be 
considered some sort of practical joke in any peer-reviewed journal.

Perhaps people like RCMP Supt. Paul Nadeau should actually speak to 
some people instead of merely "walking through" the Downtown Eastside 
and expecting Insite to act like a magical bandage. Opponents argue 
that the facility doesn't do what it was never meant to do: Cure 
addicts. I guess harm reduction doesn't enter the vocabulary of blind 
crusaders.

Paul Szczesny

North Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom