IN HARM'S WAY

The examples of an inhaler for a patient with breathing difficulties
or bypass surgery for a cardiac patient are viable analogies as much
as Tony Clement thinks otherwise. The smoker with an inhaler
(emphysema) may not quit smoking; it would be immoral not to offer a
medical service. The bypass patient may not become more active or eat
better; should we then withhold a service? That is essentially the
logic our Health Minister offers in the debate around harm reduction.

The people Insite serves are in extreme addiction. To appeal the
Charter victory is to say to the people of Vancouver, their police
department, city hall and the B.C. government that they don't know
what they're doing and that only the Harper government does. What will
it take to get Stephen Harper and Mr. Clement to respect the needs of
the people who live with these issues?

Russell Maynard

Co-ordinator, Insite

Vancouver