DOCTOR'S BOOK PRESCRIBES DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS

Portland Hotel Society Physician Ministers To Drug-Addicted

What does a physician who has worked for a decade with people with
hardcore addictions prescribe? Unconditional love and decriminalization.

But Dr. Gabor Mate isn't all hugs and rebellion. On the eve of his
book tour and his wife's birthday--for which he still needs to buy a
gift--he appears a busy, sharp, serious and insightful man who's
proud of his latest book's swift ascendance on booksellers' lists.
Knopf Canada only released In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close
Encounters with Addiction Feb. 16, but it has already hit MacLean's
bestsellers list and was number 10 on Amazon.ca last week.

In his third book, Mate shares conversations and incidents with some
of the drug-addicted, HIV and hepatitis C infected souls he sees as
physician with the Portland Hotel Society. He outlines scientific
studies that show adverse conditions in the womb and early childhood
brain development, creating the propensity for people to become
addiction-prone. "I don't have a single female patient down here who
wasn't sexually abused, not one" Mate said. "Many of the men were as well."

He hopes the public will recognize that addictions, whether they be
to overeating, work, shopping, sex, gambling, nicotine, alcohol or
illicit drugs, are all related to the same emotional dynamics and
brain circuitry. He doesn't believe letting people hit "bottom" will
change their ways. He's seen addicts lose their jobs, homes, spouses,
children, body parts, health and friends. "They are far from naive
about the seriousness of the matter and require no more convincing or
coercing," he writes. "And yet they will not, unless something
transforms their perspective on life, abandon their compulsion to use drugs."

Mate wants to end the war on drugs so those addicted to illicit
substances can enjoy what he calls an "island of relief." He calls
for the decriminalization of all substance dependence and the
provision of narcotics to confirmed users under controlled
conditions. He distinguishes between legalization, which would make
manufacturing and selling drugs acceptable commercial
activities--which he doesn't support--and the decriminalization of
possessing drugs for personal use.

Mate argues that not having to pay for one's drugs would cut down on
crime, violence, prostitution and poverty. "Most hardcore addicts
could not function at such a high level, given the social and
psychological adversity of their life histories," he writes. "But
surely, if their substance needs were met, they would have much
greater opportunity to realize their potential to be creative and
contributing members of society. At the very least, they would be a
lesser burden."

Mate will speak at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, 1012 Nelson
St., at 7:30 p.m. on March 12. The event, sponsored by the Necessary
Voices Society, is a fundraiser for the Downtown Eastside Women's
Centre and the Aboriginal Mother Centre Society. Attendees must
contribute a minimum $5 donation.