Pubdate: Sun, 01 Jun 2008
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Michael Greenwood

TORIES RIGHT TO CLOSE INSITE

The federal government's efforts to close the Vancouver Insite 
facility against significant odds are to be commended.

In couples therapy, when a family member helps an addict acquire 
their chosen drug, it is called "enabling." Though enabling may keep 
the peace in the short term, any psychologist knows it is bad therapy 
and only prolongs the addict's agony.

In the same way, scientific studies that purport to show benefit from 
injection sites are confusing "harm reduction" with benefit, and 
providing a shoddy rationale for "institutionalized enabling."

A better approach would involve compassionate yet firm boundary 
setting, and letting people face the consequences of their own 
actions, a principle known as tough love.

After all, few people will develop personal responsibility until they have to.

Michael Greenwood

Victoria
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