ADDICTION IS A DISEASE, NOT CAUSE FOR DROPPING ROBINSON

The Editor,

Re: "Robinson cuts SCC ties," the Now, May 23.

I am writing to express my disappointment at the decision of the
Surrey Civic Coalition to disavow Gary Robinson's candidacy in the
upcoming civic election. It has always been my impression that the SCC
was a progressive party, but their response in this case is about as
reactionary as you can get.

For some time now, addiction has been accepted by the medical fraternity
(and most employers) as a disease. Mr. Robinson's cocaine addiction is not a
moral shortcoming on his part, it is a disease. Substitute multiple
sclerosis for addiction and it would be like the SCC saying to Mr. Robinson:

"You had MS 10 years ago and even though it has been in remission for
two years, we can't let you run for us because we don't know whether
it will come out of remission in the future." How ridiculous would
that be?

To say, as Ms. Toews does, that, with two years clean, "the question
is whether or not it's long enough for the public" is a cop out. How
will we ever get the public to accept addiction as a disease if
progressive organizations like the SCC don't take some leadership?

Mr. Robinson, you can count on my vote in November.

Ron Shaw

Surrey