Pubdate: Fri, 16 May 2008
Source: Renfrew Weekender (CN ON)
Section:  As I See It
Copyright: 2008 Ottawa Region Media Group
Contact:  http://www.runge.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4770
Author: Mary Cook
Note: This column also appeared in Arnprior Weekender, Kanata Kourier - 
Standard and the West Carleton Review Weekender

CURRENT STRATEGIES NO FIX TO DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM

Something is badly out of whack. People are openly using drugs, the 
government is paying for their paraphernalia, which means you and I are 
footing the bill, and millions of dollars across the country are being 
poured into drug programs with little or no impact on the problem.

Municipal governments are crying for treatment centres, users are 
committing crimes to pay for their habits, and some of our most picturesque 
parts of our National Capital Region are becoming eyesores, are unsafe and 
what used to be a major tourist attraction, the market area, is fast 
gaining a reputation of being a place to avoid at any cost.

The needle exchange program is really not an exchange program at all when 
reports say that ordinary citizens have taken it upon themselves to search 
play areas with green garbage bags to rid places frequented by children of 
discarded needles. These needles are not exchanged ... they are thrown away 
with no thought given to their potential danger to the innocent.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that users are sick people. Many are 
unable to kick the habit that is slowly taking their lives. Communities are 
screaming for treatment centres. None are available.

A very good point was made recently by someone who pointed out that if a 
person was suffering from a disease that would be a threat to humanity, 
that person would immediately be put into isolation. We don't let people 
infected with tuberculosis mingle with the public. They are immediately put 
into hospital for treatment for their own and the public's safety. That is 
the law.

And yet, drug users can refuse treatment. It is their constitutional right. 
Isn't there something wrong with this picture?

The beginning of a drug user's habit starts somewhere. Many began smoking 
up while still in elementary school. With continued usage, by the time they 
are adults, for many, the drugs have such a hold on them, irreparable 
damage has been done and, without treatment, there is no turning back. They 
move from soft drugs to the deadly. The addict is born.

And the traffickers and dealers will see that their addictions hold. They 
can't survive without the addict.

It's easy to blame the police for not cracking down on the open use of 
drugs and the pushers. But we must remember they are hampered everywhere 
they turn by laws in Canada that favour the offender.

There is no doubt many people are occasional users, and never go on to 
become addicted. Why they need drugs to be the life of the party, or handle 
the little disappointments they face, is another whole issue and remains a 
mystery to me.

If anyone is caught using or is in possession of drugs, they can face 
charges. Those who are charged and get their day in court, in many people's 
estimation, are given such weak sentences, it's laughable.

Statistics Canada has fi gures up to and including 2005 to 2006. The 
numbers following are for adults only. Youth numbers are lower and I 
suppose, for that, we should be grateful.

In that period, there were 13,190 cases of drug possession before the 
Canadian courts and 10,889 for drug traffi cking. Of these cases, 7,395 
were found guilty of drug possession and 6,128 adults were found guilty of 
traffi cking. More than 2,000 adults got conditional sentences, 565 
probation, and only 358 were dealt fi nes and that was also for traffi 
cking. There were 2,706 adults found guilty of traffi cking and were sent 
to custody.

Does it seem to you that it is a bigger crime to cheat on your income tax 
than it is to be caught selling drugs? And why, when we are aiding the 
addict on the streets in Ottawa and, in my opinion, encouraging their drug 
habit, are they not arrested?

The abuse of drugs has become one of the major social catastrophes of our 
country. The cost in human lives lost from the use, and money spent on 
drugs, cannot even be estimated.

Has it gone so far that it cannot be repaired? Are our laws actually 
encouraging the use of drugs?

If that is the case, what a sad legacy to leave to our next generation. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D