CLEMENT IN THE BELIEVERS' DEN

Imagine if Federal Health Minister Tony Clement opposed providing
coronary bypass surgery to all obese patients or respiratory
medication to all smokers, because of the "moral" message these
conditions convey.

We are left breathless at Mr. Clement's preposterous comparison of
palliative care for treatable cancers to safe injection for substance
dependence. In fact, safe injection is on the same spectrum of
treatment as certain forms of life-prolonging (not lifesaving)
chemotherapy. The big difference is the stigma and attitude ministers
such as Mr. Clement bring with the Conservatives' campaign against
people disabled by addiction.

As front-line physicians trying to improve the lives of people with
addictions, it is discouraging that we should have to educate our
government about the legitimate health-care needs of this population.

THEA WEISDORF , PHILIP BERGER , CHARLIE GUIANG and CHRIS
CAVACUITI

MDs

Toronto