WE MAY AS WELL PUT 'EM UP AT THE RITZ

They can conduct all the studies they like and boast about the
benefits until the cows come home but as far as I'm concerned,
there's something fundamentally wrong with this situation.

A few years back a supervised drug injection site was opened in
Vancouver and since that time other provinces have been thinking
about the benefits - Saskatchewan included - but personally, I just
can't see how offering a free, comfy place (complete with government
approved supervision and free needles) for drug users to partake in
illegal substance abuse can be a good thing.

I get the idea behind the project. I do. They want to limit the
spread of disease and help make communities safer - but is this
really the way to do it? Is this the best way to be directing our tax
dollars? Hmmm...

If you listen to the studies it is. Recent reports out of Vancouver
say the drug site - which serves about 8,000 people (8,000 people!?!)
- - saves at least one life a year, doesn't cause increased use,
doesn't affect crime rates and is supported by the community.

Well I'm sure those findings are true. Give an addict a free, safe
place to feed their habit with a few fringe benefits and who wouldn't
want to get off the street? The point is we're helping to enable an
illegal habit, I don't care how you look at the situation. Not only
are we enabling this place, but it's free from narcotics laws also.
The site currently has a federal exemption from narcotics laws - at
least until June 30, and there's no doubt in my mind that exemption
will be renewed.

Why is it the rest of the population is subject to being charged for
drug use, but not those who choose to "use" in a government okayed
location? Where's the consistency? Where do we draw the line? And
better yet, how do we convey to our kids injecting illegal drugs into
their bodies is wrong when there are government assisted, safe places
that allow it?

A safe house may keep a few people off the streets (reportedly only
about five per cent of users make use of the facility), it may also
appease a portion of the public by removing at least some of the
problem from their view. And yes, it may save a life or two because
someone uses a clean needle rather than one they pick up off the
street, but the point is we're condoning and enabling something
that's not legal and certainly not conducive to helping people make
more of their lives. We're also supporting drug dealers - UNLESS, the
safe site is also in the business of doling out drugs?!?

You can't combat a problem by tucking it neatly out of view and if
you ask me, our government's support could be far better directed.