Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2007
Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
Copyright: 2007 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html
Website: http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Ben Day

FREE DRUGS, TOO

Regarding the Nov. 14 Point of View piece about providing a safe place
for addicts to "shoot up," I agree heartily.

I would only go one step further and provide free methadone and other
drug substitution clinics as they do in some European countries to
alleviate the effects of heroin and other injectable drug addiction on
both those affected and society. This will slow property crime (to pay
for their addictions) and much of the violence and do more to put the
drug merchants out of business. Unfortunately, addicts are mostly
beyond help, but this would ease the pain of this curse on both those
directly affected and society.

Law enforcement opposes this action because of the ease (and
popularity) of making drug arrests.

Ben Day
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MAP posted-by: Derek