SAVE THE WASHROOMS

By closing the public washrooms at Main and Hastings, the Vancouver police
believe they would be helping to crack down on the drug trade (Public
washrooms, at the crossroads, Insight, Oct. 14). This proposesd solution
would only create a greater problem, leaving residents of the Downtown
Eastside with nowhere to relieve themselves. That would not remedy the
prevailing drug problem.

Vancouver officials should realize that a public washroom is necessary in
this area. They helps to keep the streets cleaner, the people healthier.

In light of the wealth of our country and social safety nets that we pride
ourselves on providing, homelessness may be described as a societal scar
demanding a response. By turning people out on the streets to relieve
themselves we are not responding to the greater social issue - we are
treating our fellow human beings as animals.

If this proposal is successful, a great disservice will be done to the
Downtown Eastside and the city as a whole.

Jessica Edge, Coquitlam