DETOX DEBATE

FINALLY, the debate will begin in earnest. Finally, the North Shore is
poised to take its collective head out of the sand and address the
issue of responsible treatment for drug abuse.

North Vancouver City and District councils are poised to begin
discussions on the future of the former North Shore Health Region
offices next to Lions Gate Hospital.

Of course, this being North Vancouver, each council will have its own
version of the best way to proceed with the jointly owned property.
But for now that is a less important issue than the fact that we are
finally going to address how we should best deal with our share of the
drug problem.

Oh yes, we are braced for the storm. The possibility of a
detoxification and drug rehabilitation centre in central Lonsdale will
not be welcomed by many area residents.

And the storm will reach hurricane proportions if the concept of a
safe-injection site is included in the planned facility. Many local
residents would rather pull up the drawbridges over the Inlet
permanently than risk attracting addicts to our fair North Shore.

But the fact remains, our justice-based system has failed us in the
war on drugs and the federal plan to set up drug courts goes some way
to acknowledging that fact. Even Vancouver's generally unimaginative
mayor is finally looking for a new approach to reclaiming his downtown
eastside.

We are heartened that, finally, there are councillors on both North
Vancouver councils who understand the need for detox facilities on the
North Shore. Let the debate begin.