Pubdate: Fri, 06 Apr 2012
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Barry Shantz

COUNCIL SHOULD 'GET OUT OF HEALTH CARE'

The subject of harm reduction is heating up in Abbotsford, as city 
hall 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 BC 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 Capital" 
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 Capital" 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,

director Fraser Health Region, BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors,

Founder Abbotsford Chapter
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom