Pubdate: Tue, 10 Apr 2012
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Barry Shantz

IT'S TIME CITY COUNCIL LEFT HEALTH CARE ALONE

Editor, the Times:

The subject of harm reduction is heating up in Abbotsford as city 
staff anxiously await the Fraser Health Harm Reduction Implementation 
Plan that will be submitted to mayor and council this spring.

Recent letters in the media appear to be from citizens concerned 
about a mayor and council that attempt to control/impede the access 
to health care for the most marginalized and vulnerable in Abbotsford.

Abbotsford's zoning bylaw that essentially prohibits harm reduction 
services in Abbotsford is in direct contradiction to national health 
policy, provincial health policy, Fraser Health policy, and let us 
not forget the B.C. Centre for Disease Control health policy.

Citizens of Abbotsford rely on a mayor and council to keep themselves 
and their children safe and healthy.

Known also as Murder Capitol and Disease Central, Abbotsford citizens 
need to educate themselves on what type of decisions/bylaws will keep 
them safe and healthy.

A recent report by Dr. Evan Wood, which won the British Medical 
Journal's Doctor of the Year Award, indicates that criminalizing drug 
users causes the spread of violence and disease in communities.

So, in Murder Capitol and Disease Central, can a reasonably educated 
individual believe the right decisions are being made to keep them 
safe and healthy in Abbotsford?

Message to mayor and council - get out of health care and let the 
experts tell you what you need to have a safe and healthy community.

You have failed miserably at the expense of the most marginalized and 
vulnerable.

Inflicting unnecessary suffering is cruel and unusual.

Barry Shantz

Fraser Health Region, B.C./Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors Abbotsford
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom