Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jan 2014
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Brent Stafford

The Duel

Columnists Laila Yuile and Brent Stafford battle over the issues of
the day. The winner of the last duel on pipelines was Laila with 52%.

This week's topic:

Should civil liberties be suspended for violent and mentally ill
chronic drug users?

COMMUNITY SAFETY COMES FIRST

The horrific murder of Julie Paskall over the holidays has hit home
for many. The randomness and barbarity of the unprovoked attack
against the 53-year-old hockey mom - who was waiting for her son
outside a Surrey hockey rink - has called into question the basic
right to safety in public places. While we don't have all the details,
it's possible the perpetrator is an agitated, mentally ill user of
hard drugs. The rampant use of hard drugs - and the mental illness,
violence and homelessness associated with it - have many, myself
included, saying enough is enough.

The problem is becoming an epidemic across the Lower Mainland. In a
news conference last September, Mayor Gregor Robertson said there are
2,000 people in Vancouver who are classified as "severely addicted
mentally ill." He drew a direct correlation to the rise in random
violent attacks - beatings, stabbings and shootings. Many are addicted
to stimulants like crystal meth, which can cause severe paranoia and
psychosis.

Options currently deployed to address the crisis are not working.
Increased policing simply pushes the problem into neighbouring
communities. Criminal incarceration is expensive and not likely, as
our justice system seems incapable of dealing with the enormity of the
problem. Hospital care on the scale needed is impractical and
traditional mental institutions are either closed or not designed to
meet this particular challenge. We could provide more money to
increase community residential treatment programs, however many
participants fail, choosing drug use over recovery. Not to mention, no
one wants a recovery house in his or her backyard. So what can we do?

In the wake of this most recent tragedy, some have called for rounding
up all the violent and mentally ill drug users and shipping them off
to the Interior to work the land and get clean. I agree. The province
spends $1.3 billion a year on services that directly address mental
health and substance use. We should redirect some of that funding to
create a large-scale facility in the Interior, away from towns and
cities, to securely house and facilitate co-ordinated, team-focused
care. "Residents" would be legally mandated to participate in recovery
programs and outdoor work projects. They would get plenty of help to
clean up and prove they are committed to recovery before they can
re-enter society.

Is this a suspension of their civil liberties? You bet it is. I
believe the community's right to safety is more important.

Brent Stafford is a veteran television news-documentary producer and
marketing specialist. You can watch his show at www.ShakyPolitics.com 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D