Lower Mainland police departments and government officials continue to wrestle with a wave of gang-related crime. Last week, a new police unit called the Violence Suppression Unit, made up of 60 officers from Vancouver and other departments, was announced. Developed to crack down specifically on gang violence, it will hit the streets tomorrow. But all the well-trained and well-equipped cops in the world are not going to make a dent in the activities of the gangs that make their fortunes on the backs of the drug addicts that litter our downtown streets. [continues 357 words]
Every once in a while, an idea so innovative and so hopeful arrives into the public square for discussion, that one cannot help but be grateful that sometimes we can put political differences aside to focus on making lives better. This week, Mayor Sam Sullivan, along with Dr. Don Rix, John Reynolds, David Holtzman and Joy MacPhail announced the creation of the Chronic Addiction Substitution Treatment program. In the simplest of terms, this program will assist hardened drug addicts by providing paid-for legal prescription drugs so that they can leave the expensive, life-destroying illegal drugs like crack and crystal meth behind. [continues 353 words]
