THERE WILL NEVER BE FOUR PILLARS

Editor;

It started as the Four Pillar Approach to solve the drug problem on
Vancouver's Downtown East Side.

It is a fraud perpetrated by some well-meaning politicians and people
in the industry.

There are no four pillars and there will never be four pillars. If
these politicians don't know this, then they are looking through
rose-coloured glasses. There is no money to put in for the four pillar
(treatment), and for the few who may turn their lives around and
become productive citizens, it is just not cost effective.

There are too many other good causes crying out for more
funds.

The proponents tell us of its success. They have simply changed the
definition of success. No one has been weaned off drugs, they only
tout that no one has died from overdose. Big deal. What kind of life
is it where their existence revolves around injecting drugs?

The only advantage I see for addicts is they have a clean and
supervised place. That draws addicts from other parts.

Dave Bains,

Surrey