There is a crisis in the Downtown Eastside. More and more people are
becoming casualties of a spiralling health crisis due to drug use.
Drug users themselves have led the way in calling for a comprehensive
approach to stem the needless loss of lives and devastation impacting
the whole community.

Now, sadly, we take on another crisis - a political one - as a result
of Mr. Owen's announced 90-day moratorium on permits and applications
for facilities for drug users.

The mayor and the city have been heading in the right direction and
the imminent opening of the resource centre has been seen by many as a
step forward. So why the moratorium? What we desperately need is
political leadership involving all levels of government to be
committed to actions that have been proven to work.

The federal government provided the financial resources for the
resource centre. It is not in anybody's interest to hold this or
other desperately needed facilities up.

Libby Davies, MP,
Vancouver East