LEGAL NEEDLE PLAN UNLIKELY

Editor, The News:

This letter is in response to comments attributed to Fraser Valley Health
Region board member Diane Dryden ('Addicts need a "safe place" to shoot
up,' A3, July 17) that "the health board, via the provincial government,
could 'sue' a community that refuses to provide a safe injection site for
addicts."

I have spoken previously to Colin Hansen, minister of Health Services,
about the needle exchange issue and I am certain that he would not initiate
or condone such "legal action" against a community.

I am equally certain that B.C.'s attorney general, Geoff Plant, would not
allow this kind of litigation to occur.

Accordingly, I am hopeful that the health board will listen carefully to
the concerns and opposition expressed by many credible citizens on the
topic of a needle exchange.

John van Dongen Abbotsford-Clayburn MLA