PREMIER TAKES COURAGEOUS STAND

Ujjal Dosanjh is the second key player to endorse a controversial plan
to treat drug abusers.

Don't stop at providing safe injection sites for
intransigent addicts hooked on hard drugs, says Premier Ujjal Dosanjh.
Go the full distance and give them prescriptions to feed their habits.

"Safe injection sites won't do the job," he told The Vancouver Sun
editorial board Tuesday. They don't do much to cure the problem if
they leave addicts trying to finance their habits through whatever
means they can -- often petty crime -- and leave the criminals their
role of fostering and feeding addictions.

So, "If there are people who can't be stabilized or cured or dealt
with satisfactorily in any other way, then we should look at medicinal
prescription of the drugs that they might be dependent on under safe
conditions."

This approach is controversial, and these are brave words for a
politician facing re-election soon. They are also intelligent and
compassionate words, and we say, bravo!

The premier's endorsement takes the plan put forward late last month
by Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen two important steps farther.

First, it strengthens the fourth pillar of the mayor's four-pillar
approach. Prevention, treatment and enforcement get at least lip
service from almost everyone, but the fourth -- harm reduction -- has
vociferous opponents as well as strong supporters. The premier goes
farther into this controversial territory than the mayor, but he also
cuts to the heart of a key issue -- how to put out of business the
criminals who drive the drug racket.

As importantly, it means a second key player, the province, is
on-side. The city already is, so that leaves only Ottawa to agree to
get an innovative and comprehensive strategy under way.

Of course the premier, like the mayor, hasn't committed any money yet.
Indeed, Mr. Dosanjh said -- sensibly, we think -- that his
government's support is conditional on the federal government doing
its share.

But both these B.C. politicians have stuck their necks out on this,
and that's immensely encouraging. Ottawa is already moving ahead to
establish drug courts, and it shouldn't hesitate to join this
initiative, too. And soon, before a provincial election intervenes and
the issue either becomes a political football or slides onto the back
burner.