Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 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: Christopher Nichols
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

WE'RE GOING IN CIRCLES CHASING DRUG ADDICTS

It's too bad Insp. Bob Rolls doesn't have the slightest concept of 
how to battle the open use of drugs in the Downtown Eastside. 
Anything related to drug usage has absolutely nothing to do with 
enforcement and everything to do with educational and preventive measures.

So what if the Vancouver police are going to arrest people and try to 
convince the courts to proceed with charges? At the most, this is a 
mild disincentive to prevent public use of drugs. Jail time and 
charges have never been an effective deterrent for crimes relating to 
drugs or related matters.

We seem to be going in circles chasing drug addicts from one part of 
the city to another without the slightest realization of how to 
effectively deal with the problem. To start, more supervised 
injection and safe inhalation clinics should be built, as well as 
consideration of implementing a program to legalize all drugs.

Christopher Nichols

Coquitlam
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman