ABETTING DRUG USE DOESN'T HELP ADDICTS

Abetting drug use doesn't help addicts The last time I looked at the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, it was illegal to possess cocaine
or any of its derivatives. A maximum penalty of seven years
imprisonment is provided by law. Our parliamentarians must therefore
consider the offence of possession of cocaine or heroin or crystal
meth a serious crime.

Section 21 of the Criminal Code of Canada in effect says that anyone
who aids or abets a crime is as culpable as the original offender.
"Abet" is defined in the dictionary as to encourage, support or
countenance by aid or approval.

I object strongly to the Vancouver Island Health Authority spending my
tax dollars assisting and encouraging cocaine addicts to pursue their
filthy habits. These addicts are the same people who daily smash our
car windows, snatch our purses and break into our homes in order to
support their addictions.

I seriously doubt that supplying drug paraphernalia results in any
real harm-reduction, given the lifestyle choices made by addicts. I
have watched addicts draw water from a mud puddle in order to "cook-up."

All levels of government would be much wiser to focus on providing
real harm-reduction through universally available detoxification for
all users of these dangerous drugs. Drug courts would at last have a
viable option to deal with what has become an intolerable situation in
our major cities.

David L. Staples,

retired RCMP inspector,

Victoria