JUST CALL ME A HYPOCRITE

Jody Paterson's solution to the heroin crisis ("Heroin crisis is our own
creation," June 16) makes Alice in Wonderland seem positively Solomic.

All the druggies want, she tells us, is "adequate food, housing and heroin"
plus jobs, rights and dignity." Hey, where do I sign up? Just give me wine
gums instead of heroin.

The jobs will have to be sinecures, of course; even Paterson wouldn't want
to entrust herself bank tellers or bus drivers permanently zonked out on
unlimited free dope. We'll just pay them to stay home and spend our money on
"personal care."

On the other hand this proposal will certainly solve British Columbia's
immigration problem. Joyful addicts will pour into this province from around
the world, assured of jobs, housing, food, dignity and drugs at the
taxpayers' expense.

Even if the scheme were to cut drug costs by 50 per cent, feeding a mere $50
a day habit for B.C.'s 15,000 regular users would cost close to $275 million
a year versus Paterson's current estimate of $95 million in direct costs.
And who can count the cost of increased usage and consumption by new addicts?

Jody Paterson cries mea culpa and preaches that it is hypocrisy to see the
heroin addict as morally weak and despicable. OK, call me a hypocrite.

Dick Hainsworth, Victoria