SECRET REPORT MERELY TROTS OUT THE RCMP'S OLD PREJUDICES ABOUT DRUG USE

It is no secret that the Harper government is no big fan of
Vancouver's experimental initiatives to combat substance abuse. What
does come as a surprise is the government's cowardly criticism using
the RCMP as a medium. As the article notes, opponents feel that
Insite "actually encourages drug use."

Is it any wonder why the RCMP paper on the subject was not released
for public scrutiny? With unsupported statements about lower risks
causing greater drug usage, this paper surely solidifies the
deep-seated ignorance of the people already holding Prime Minister
Stephen Harper's views. Unfortunately for anyone interested in truth,
evidence or scientific honesty, the RCMP paper would surely be
considered some sort of practical joke in any peer-reviewed journal.

Perhaps people like RCMP Supt. Paul Nadeau should actually speak to
some people instead of merely "walking through" the Downtown Eastside
and expecting Insite to act like a magical bandage. Opponents argue
that the facility doesn't do what it was never meant to do: Cure
addicts. I guess harm reduction doesn't enter the vocabulary of blind
crusaders.

Paul Szczesny

North Vancouver