PEOPLE NEED TO TREAT THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SYMPTOM

Re: "Needle box plan gets support" (Daily News, Aug. 6).

Has this society and all its leaders gone totally insane?

Is condoning the use of needles among the mentally ill and drug
addicted members of our society the best way to deal with an obvious
sickness amongst us? If I heard a loud grinding noise coming from the
engine of my car do I fix it by wearing ear plugs?

We have a serious drug problem in the core of our beautiful city. We
have members of our society who are unable to help themselves.

Through circumstances often beyond their control they have fallen
through the crack, become homeless and find temporary comfort in the
use of drugs to relieve their life's pain.

How sad that our society must have "needle boxes" scattered around our
downtown area. I'm quite certain that tourists stepping off their
pristine cruise ships will be impressed with a drug laden city,
fearful of some drug crazed maniac attacking them with an HIV infested
needle.

What we need now, is a long-range plan to help the sick and
downtrodden of our society. Maybe tough-love is the solution. If your
child had a drug problem would you supply him or her with needles and
supply a nice metal box to dispose of them. I doubt it. For those of
us who are not responsible and a danger to ourselves and our society,
the rest of us -- who are responsible -- must do our civic duty and
make decisions for them.

I would suggest a large drug rehabilitation centre be build
immediately, drug addicts rounded up and forced to undergo treatment.
Get them off the streets. Give them a chance. Let's deal with the
problem not the symptoms. If my property taxes go up a $100 a year,
it's money well spent.

RON COUPAL

Nanaimo