Teen Editorial:

ONLY COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT CAN STOP DRUG ADDICTS' MISERY

In recent months, a new trend in Europe has finally jumped the
Atlantic and appeared in North America.

The first government authorized drug injection site in Canada is now
open for business.

The site, located in Vancouver, gives users of heroin and other
injected drugs a safe haven. They are given clean needles, medical
supervision and a "chill out room" to wait out the effects of the drug.

However, there is one important fact that must not be overlooked about
these sites: They are not trying to end the addiction of drug users,
only to make it safer for them.

Ostensibly, many of these centers are set up to help stop the spread
of AIDS.

While this is a laudable goal, if people choose to do illegal drugs,
AIDS is just one of the risks they must run.

Even if safe from AIDS, users still face long-term damage to the body,
from liver disease to psychological damage. These centers do nothing
to prevent those other dangers to drug users.

Patrons of illegal drugs buy the drugs from dealers on the street.

Drugs aren't cheap and many of these patrons find coming up with the
necessary cash difficult. As addiction deepens, many users turn to
more criminal acts, such as burglary or armed robbery to fill their
coffers.

Criminal problems such as these are certainly not going to improve
with introduction of more drug injection sites.

The power these drugs exercise over their users is not to be
underestimated.

However, giving drug users a secure environment to continue destroying
their bodies is not the right solution.

Only through comprehensive treatment and counseling can addiction be
broken.

The key is to get the people off the drugs as soon as possible.

People who are free of addiction and are their own masters are much
more likely to turn their lives around than anyone who is still a
slave to the cravings.

How can these sites claim to be humane if they will only support
someone's addiction?

Canada has spent $4.7 million on initial costs for this project. That
money could have been put to use for prevention or treatment programs.

Only through proactive programs, which work to fix this problem, can
we be successful.