MORE NEEDED TO BATTLE ADDICTION

It is appalling how little attention is paid to the lack of detox
beds on Vancouver Island. There are about 30 for our entire Island.

There is a need for at least 50 beds in Victoria alone and another 50
beds are needed in Nanaimo, yet the Vancouver Island Health Authority
is not addressing these needs.

There are no treatment centres this side of the Malahat, private
treatment centres only this side of Nanaimo and no treatment centres
for women on the Island.

If we want to deal with the issue we need to provide resources.

The lack of rental apartments means a return to the streets after
detox or treatment.

This is why we continue to see a rise in the number of addicts on the
street and in our emergency rooms.

Until we make changes our crime rate will continue to increase.

Richard Reece,

Victoria.