WE'VE BECOME INDIFFERENT TO ADDICTIONS

I attended a function last week in downtown Victoria and walked past
the courthouse to see a man sitting on the steps putting a needle
into his arm. Nobody seemed to notice, or if they did they didn't seem to care.

Since that time, I have been wondering how we as a society have let
ourselves become immune to such tragedies.

A few days after this incident, I stopped at a small grocery store in
West Saanich. I noticed a large glass case by the counter with a huge
assortment of drug paraphernalia, everything from pipes to special lighters.

This store is located near three schools. How they can get away with
selling this type of merchandise, especially in a neighbourhood
surrounded by school children, is beyond me.

We as a society are so accustomed to seeing and hearing about drug
abuse that I believe we are becoming indifferent to it. When kids see
this type of merchandise for sale, you have to believe that some part
of their brain tells them that this is acceptable.

We need to get a handle on the drug problems in this country. I would
say that a nice "safe" start would be to outlaw the sale of paraphernalia.

Despite the fact that this would likely just send the sales of such
merchandise underground, it would take it away from the sight of the
kids who aren't looking for it.

What about a few more valuable dollars being spent in the prevention?

Doug Thorsteinson,

Victoria.