Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jul 2007
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Michael Pare

COUNCIL LACKED COURAGE

Council's rejection of the crack pipe program reflects an apparent 
lack of courage for most council members to support a much-needed 
health measure. It is on a par, in its effect and its faulty logic, 
with refusing to support the distribution of condoms in HIV-plagued 
Africa or to teach sex education to teens, for fear of encouraging 
sexual contact.

The majority's naive view of human behaviour misses two key points: 
crack users will continue to use drugs, whether or not the city 
supplies clean pipes, except that now they will do so with "dirty" 
implements increasing the risk of disease and death. That city 
council would take such action, in the face of scientific evidence to 
the contrary, reflects sadly on our council and our city. I would 
have expected more enlightenment and certainly more courage from our 
city fathers.

Michael Pare, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom