ADDICTION IS A SICKNESS BROUGHT ON BY MORAL LAPSES

The Editor,

Re: "Addiction is a disease, not cause for dropping Robinson," the Now
letters, May 30.

In response to Ron Shaw's letter, nice try at explaining addiction,
but you are very confused.

While addiction may be classed as a disease; (I would say sickness is
a better term) how do you become addicted? In Mr. Robinson's case, you
take cocaine, which is an illegal drug, with more than enough
information out there for an informed adult to know the risks involved
with taking it. As an elected politician, I would have to call Mr.
Robinson an informed adult. He knew the risks to his body, mind,
career and life in taking cocaine.

In my opinion, it does take a lack of character to start taking a
dangerous illegal drug in the first place; but after you become
addicted you definitely have a sickness. I would never say an addicted
person cannot turn their life around; many people have and go on to
lead exemplary lives.

However, to try and compare addiction to MS is very demeaning to
people who, through no fault of their own, have an incurable,
debilitating and more than likely terminal disease. People with MS do
not knowingly take an illegal and addicting drug to get MS.

Mr. Robinson did show a lack of moral character to begin taking
cocaine; he did let down the people who elected him and put their
trust in his ability to act on their behalf as a politician. If there
was no risk involved with cocaine use, then you would not become
addicted in the first place. No one, probably not even Mr. Robinson,
knows how using cocaine affected his decisions in his life and work.
Could someone take advantage of the knowledge that a person is a
cocaine user? Absolutely. There are many examples that have made the
national media of politicians in trouble by making drug-driven bad
decisions because of blackmail or trying to support a very expensive
habit or just because their judgment is clouded by the drug itself.

Wake up Ron Shaw. Drug use is a lack of moral character and also is a
breach of the public's trust. Good on Mr. Robinson for beating the
addiction monster and good luck with his future endeavours.

I cannot personally say that I would or would not vote for him; it
would depend on how he explains his recovery and if he takes
responsibility for his actions in regard to drug use. Of course, his
civic platform would be of primary interest. Do I blame SCC for not
wanting him on their slate? Not at all.

MARK RYALL

Surrey