NEW YORK SHOWS WAY TO CLEAN UP

Recently, we toured the Arthur Erickson: Critical Works exhibit at
the Vancouver Art Gallery. The gallery guide suggested that when the
tour was over, we could look through the hole that was created in the
south wall of the gallery. From this viewing area, we could look from
the old courthouse onto one of Erickson's crowning achievements, the
present day law courts.

When we looked through the opening, the view was mind numbing. In the
distant background was the amazing architecture of glass and concrete
framed by green, leafy trees and tall buildings.

But disturbingly, the predominant foreground view was of something
far more representative of the state of our current society in Vancouver.

Through our hole in the wall we watched the exchange of goods for
money. On the art gallery plaza right below us was the obvious and
open sale of drugs. The fact that the operation was framed made the
view surreal.

The scene reminded me of Bryant Park in New York City. Bryant Park is
an amazing space that once was overrun with drug dealers, users and
criminals. The city government under the leadership of mayor Rudy
Giuliani cleaned up this park and today it is a beautiful place for
the residents to enjoy. As we explored the city, we found this to be
the case in all of the parks and public areas.

The key to New York's success was undoubtedly strong leadership
coupled with hard decisions.

The people who live and work in Vancouver are largely empathetic to
the needs and struggles of the less fortunate in our society.

But sadly, those of us who are sympathetic to the plight of the
marginalized are becoming desensitized due to overexposure. We are
frustrated by the lack of leadership and long for a plan that we can
support with enthusiasm, confidence and energy.

As a society, we need to find humane solutions to the huge problems
that we are encountering on our streets and we need to come down hard
on those who make money from the open drug markets. It is essential
that we do this for the right reasons and not as an Olympic event.