SAFE INJECTING PLACE THE RIGHT MOVE

KIRSTEN LAWSON (CT, December 12, p. C1) correctly identifies the
difficulties that face Michael Moore in obtaining the Assembly's agreement
to a trial of a safe injecting place.

Michael Moore, as should all in our community, finds the increasing loss of
young lives unacceptable. Agreement on this very important issue should not
be based on political gamesmanship, but rather on a genuine search for ways
to reduce the tragic results currently occurring in our community and for
which we have yet to find solutions.

There are no real reasons why politicians should be reluctant to try new
ways of reducing drug-related problems, For example, Kate Carnell did not
suffer at the polls because of her supportive views on issues such as
these. A safe injecting place will not put the community in more danger.
Most will be unaffected but, for the most vulnerable, the users and their
families, the danger could be significantly reduced.

A safe injecting place with professionals on hand can offer more help than
is found in a toilet or a dark alley. What can possibly be gained by not
undertaking the trial?

Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform asks those who would oppose this
trial to consider, during this season of good will to all, these
alternative scenarios: a lonely death in a toilet and an empty place at the
Christmas table - or an opportunity to survive and be with family and
friends for yet another Christmas.

B. McCONNELL, President, Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform
Higgins

Checked-by: Richard Lake