LET'S GET THEM OFF THE POISON

Much as we'd like it to be so, it's become obvious that dealing with
those hooked on booze and/or drugs isn't a black-and-white issue.

There is a fine line between enabling addicts endlessly to continue
their destructive behaviour and encouraging them kindly but firmly to
ditch the poison that is consuming their lives.

That is why a proposal by Toronto lawyer Jonathan Rudin for the
authorities here to give alcoholics free booze leaves us feeling,
well, a little queasy.

Indeed, on the surface it seems almost laughable.

Rudin was testifying here this week at the inquiry into the death of
Frank Paul in 1998, hours after being refused entry to the Vancouver
drunk tank.

Outside the inquiry, Rudin urged Vancouver to set up "wet shelters"
and "sobering programs" for chronic alcoholics.

Wet shelters, the aboriginal-services lawyer explained, are places
like The Annex in Toronto where folks can receive alcohol "under
controlled circumstances" to "maintain their level of functioning."

The key here is that the alcohol only be given under strict controls
for a limited purpose and, except in extreme circumstances, a limited time.

The goal should still be to wean alcoholics off booze altogether, not
to keep them on it forever.

The same aim, of course, should apply to treatment of chronic users
of illegal drugs.