Few people are in favour of facilities like safe-injection sites, but
there are benefits for us as well as for addicts in such an idea.
Free, clean needles will at least reduce the risks of contracting
AIDS, hepatitis and other infectious diseases. From an economic point
of view, the cost of government drugs should be low and few addicts
would be willing to go to drug dealers who charge much more.

However, such sites, which are different from drug recovery
facilities, should in no way to be located near residential areas or
schools. They should be established on outlying islands or in
industrial areas or places far away from residential areas.

Many addicts are unable to rescue themselves from the
nightmare.

I plead with their relatives and friends to try as much as possible to
care for them and help them.

I hope the public medical system can greatly increase the number of
drug recovery facilities. I hope social workers can follow up and
care for them. I hope law enforcers can take serious actions against
drug dealers.

If we can work along these three lines simultaneously, we will be able
to turn the tide and save drug addicts from hell, which would be
beneficial to both the country and the people.

Vivien Chen