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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom