Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n117/a05.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n035/a08.html Author: Peter Carr SULLIVAN DEFENDER DERIDES COURIER To the editor: Mike Howell's article "Addiction prediction" (12th & Cambie, Jan. 30) surprised me. I expected more from a seasoned investigative journalist. His condescending remarks about Mayor Sam Sullivan's proposed Chronic Addiction Substitution Treatment Program only echoes past comments made by other ignorant and "in denial" so-called political and community "leaders" in our city. Howell wrote, and I quote: "The mayor's plan would see doctors prescribe legal medication to addicted criminals so that those people won't have to commit crime to feed their habits." Not all addicts are criminals and not all addicts need to commit crimes in order to feed their habits. There are plenty of junkies living in Kerrisdale, too. Mayor Sullivan should be commended for proposing a new approach that focuses on treatment as opposed to all the other approaches (that have failed miserably), focusing on policing and punishment. Treatment that includes, but is not limited to, medication to get off drugs, finding the reason for drug addiction, counselling, support, housing, job training, etc., is the key to helping those addicted live positive and healthy lives. Doctors have been prescribing legal medication to heroin addicts so they can successfully kick their addiction for quite some time. It's called methadone. First-year college journalism 101 states: Do your research before writing your article! Peter Carr, Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake