For once, I sort of agree with Mark Tonner. Addicts who voluntarily
seek treatment should be able to get that treatment
immediately.

I also agree that needle exchange programs, safe injection sites and
similar "harm-reduction" techniques enable and encourage. By reducing
the harm caused by drug prohibition, we enable and encourage
prohibitionists.

But as much as I support Tonner's proposed giant recovery centre in
the downtown eastside, such a centre would do nothing to protect the
majority of users - who use occasionally or experimentally - from the
drugs we have handed over to black marketeers.

Matthew Elrod
Victoria