Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 2009
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Keith Fagin
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n417/a08.html
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

DRUG STUDIES IGNORED

Re: Syringe drop boxes offer proof people who use drugs take needle 
safety seriously while still being shunned by society. ("When it 
comes to intravenous drugs, both in the sheer number of users and who 
the addicts are, it seems Calgary has a lot to learn," Michael Platt, 
April 13.)

Calgary being Stephen Harper's home, it is no surprise there is an 
ideologically driven way of doing things. Sadly, the city and 
provincial governments have no interest in the solid facts. The same 
can be said for our current federal government. The local media have 
to shoulder some blame as well. All too often, government ideology is 
what is published by the media while drug studies are ignored. There 
are a few brave journalists willing to risk writing the solid 
truthful facts , but just not enough of them and for understandable 
reasons. It is the nasty stigma surrounding illegal drugs and the 
lack of same for the lethal legal drug alcohol.

Keith Fagin

(Platt's column was a eyeopener.)
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart