Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 Source: Campbell River Mirror (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Campbell River Mirror Contact: http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1380 Author: Grant Warkentin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) NO QUICK CURE FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS "Tough love" for drug criminals isn't the answer, says Dr. Gabor Mate. "If getting tough on crime worked, America would have no drug problems," says the doctor who has spent the last 12 years helping drug addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Instead, he adds, America's jails are full, primarily with people jailed for drug-related offences. Canada faces similar struggles with drug-related crime, but Mate says the biggest problem is public perception when it comes to dealing with drug addicts and prostitutes. "They're just nuisances in our eyes," he says. "There's a sense that they're someone other than us." But addicts are people with problems, just like us, he says, and treating addicts and prostitutes as nuisances to be taken off the streets dehumanizes them. It can also push the problem into other neighbourhoods, or drivs it further into the "criminal underground." "The problem is that in our culture we very much have the attitude of reacting to problems rather than trying to solve them," he says, adding it's especially true in communities such as Campbell River. "One sees it particularly more in smaller communities.it shows up differently, it's much more of an eyesore, it's more visible to people." Mate says the way people have reacted in recent years year to problems with drug addicts and prostitutes in Campbell River proves his point. In 2007, a group of people fed up with drugs and prostitution in the Campbellton area followed suspected prostitutes and drug dealers around with video cameras, then posted the footage to Youtube. There have also been several meetings held by businesses and homeowners frustrated with the problem, and the city created a public safety and crime reduction strategy. However, problems still remain in the downtown core. Mate empathizes with merchants tired of break-ins and criminal activity affecting their businesses, but he believes nothing will change unless society decides to deal with the causes of criminal activity, not just its symptoms. CADAC (Community Alcohol and Drug Action Committee) and CRSEAT (Campbell River Sexual Exploitation Awareness Team) are bringing Mate to Campbell River next week. He will hold two workshops in Campbell River, titled "The human face of addictions: how to be a caring community." "We really want to get the community out to hear him," says Denise Krivokuca, CADAC co-ordinator. - - Jan. 22, 1-4 p.m. Intended for professionals who work with people who are addicted. Cost is $50. Held at the community centre. - - Jan. 22, 7-9 p.m. Open to the public. Admission by donation. Held at the Timberline school theatre. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin