TREATMENT CENTRES NEEDED NOW

Dear Editor,

I would like to further add to the letter to the editor in last week's Gazette.

I really don't think the public really truly understand or know the
seriousness of this rampant disease called addiction up here on the
North Island. I truly believe that if we start to focus and
concentrate on this disease more than others, we will solve a huge
percentage of deaths, diseases, accidents, family and social issues
along with a string full of others.

It's not only the alcoholics or addicts that suffer but the family
and friends of those that do also. And that's not even mentioning the
local community.

I mean if you want to look at the big picture let's look at the crime
rate when you have a town full of addicts and alcoholics. It
obviously goes sky high putting more strain on the police.

You know I've donated tens of thousands of dollars to the people of
my country. I've donated to Salvation Army, homeless people on the
streets, churches, hospitals, street programs for kids, addicts,
alcoholics, half-way homes and the list goes on.

And I believe that if we as the general public get together and look
at the percentage numbers of who have or ever had had a problem with
addiction then we could come together as one and reveal this fixable disease.

But as everything in life things cost money. And unfortunately
treatment or recovery centers cost money.

I offer the town of Port Hardy and surrounding North Island districts this:

Let's seriously look at this disease called addiction and start
raising the money or funds needed to build and open up treatment and
recovery centers, not only up here on the North Island but throughout Canada.

The disease of addiction is like a very high percentage rate of
cancer. But this cancer leaves behind nothing but darkness and destruction.

The government thinks that adding more very expensive equipment and
police officers to the force is going to take this problem away.

I don't think so. For every dealer that gets busted another pops up
and prospers.

In order to build a bridge we need to plan. And when we plan then we
can create. And when we create then we solve the problem.

So let's build together a bridge of education and treatment centers
for a better future not just for you as an individual but for the
whole world as well.

Remember this powerful old quote "Strength survives by numbers."

And so it goes with recovery and the treatment centers so desperately
needed in this sick fragile world that we and our future generation live in.

Ben Perlini,

Port Hardy