NEEDLE EXCHANGE: THAT'S REALITY, NOT CONTRADICTION

Editor, The News:

Letter writer Lee Hanlon thinks that my advice to provide needle exchange
for drug addicts somehow contradicts my advice to have no smoking in public
places ('Oh, how Dr. Arsenault contradicts herself,' Opinion, Aug. 28).
Where's the contradiction?

If people are going to inject drugs into themselves, then I think they
should use clean needles. That way, they're less likely to get sick with
horrible (and expensive and contagious) diseases.

If people have to breathe (and I haven't yet met anyone not on heart-lung
bypass who doesn't), then I think they should breathe clean air. That way,
they're less likely to get sick with horrible (and expensive, but not
usually contagious) diseases.

That's reality!

Dr. Gillian Arsenault Past medical health officer Fraser Valley Health Region