Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Page: 6
Copyright: 2016 The Sault Star
Contact: http://www.saultstar.com/letters
Website: http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Dr. W. Gifford-Jones

TREATING 42,000 ADDICTS

Eureka! Last week I reported it was impossible to write this column. 
I had asked readers to respond to how I believe 42,000 addicts on 
methadone should be treated. Then my computer developed terminal 
cancer and I thought all your responses had been lost. Fortunately, 
the "Geek Squad" resurrected them.

 From a Times Colonist reader, "Your suggestion that sending addicts 
to northern Canada to chop wood caught my eye. I was impressed by 
your research. The addicts I have known have no interest in getting 
off methadone and improving themselves. I say, enough of this 
nonsense. Why not have them chop wood? We all do some form of work to eat."

This reader then added, "I initially believed that the practice of 
hanging drug dealers in Singapore was too extreme. But on further 
thought I'd hang them myself if they gave heroin to my healthy 
innocent granddaughters."

BL writes, "I have been employed as a correctional officer since 
1980. In those days heroin addicts would be placed in the medical 
unit without methadone. They had a few painful days, but were then 
back to normal. You are right that doctors see a financial windfall 
and will not stop using methadone. The whole system is wasting 
taxpayers' money and the government seems oblivious to it."

BR says, "I don't reply to columns, but feel compelled this time. I 
strongly disagree with methadone clinics and our permissive attitude 
to drug lords. In yesterday's newspaper Philippine president elect 
urged the public to kill drug dealers. I'm friends with many police 
officers who say our system is broken in favour of the bad guys. I 
say thugs should be put on display at City Hall. Your article hits an 
important issue that we must all be responsible for our actions."

 From Thunder Bay, "Bravo to your article. The drug industry will be 
mortified by this column. Methadone is just swooping one drug for 
another. As you stated no one has died from drug withdrawal, but 
millions have died from drug usage. Keep up the good work."

PD says, "My wife and I always look forward to your columns. I met 
the director of the Vancouver Narcotics Addiction Foundation who 
explained the methadone program to me. It has always seemed absurd to 
me. It's just a legal dependency being substituted for an illegal 
addiction. I'm pleased you have blown the whistle."

 From Courtenay, B.C. "We agree 100 percent with your opinion. We 
don't try to cure alcoholics with free liquor and the same reasoning 
should apply to drug addiction which taxpayers are forced to pay. And 
my thanks to all the good medical advice you pass along."

But I was taken to task by some readers. H.M. says, "I read with 
dismay your recent column. What has happened to your compassion? Is 
your solution punishment for every addiction, alcohol, cigarettes, 
food? Wouldn't the doctor's credo of 'do no harm' apply to addiction?"

Another writes, "Punishing drug addicts is a very outdated theory. 
Addiction is a disease of the brain. Punishment should be doled out 
to doctors who carelessly write opiate prescriptions."

W.T. says, "I enjoy the wisdom of your columns. But I was 
disappointed to discover a fascist streak in your personality. Like a 
la Hitler and probably Trump, you are not a supporter of human 
rights. Personally I believe drug use should be legalized and if 
anyone steps over the line they then face the criminal system, and 
yes chop wood. Having said this, keep up your excellent column, warts and all."

The column certainly rang a bell as some readers sent me 800-word 
replies. The majority deplored today's politically correct actions of 
offering free drugs, needles, places to shoot up and promoting the 
victim, "poor you," mentality. Others were amazed 42,000 addicts were 
being treated with methadone in a single province at great expense. 
Still, others were appalled at seeing addicts lined up at their local 
drug store to get their daily fix.

I would like to thank those who took the time to respond. And, of 
course, my thanks to the Geek Squad for saving the day.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom