NO 'QUICK FIX' FOR HEROIN

Don't we owe it to ourselves as a responsible society to exhaust all
possible alternative treatments to combat heroin addiction before it is
decided for us, to treat addicts, by injecting them with what addicted them
in the first place?

Have alternative treatments been suggested for heroin detox other than
methadone or administering heroin itself? Was this researched thoroughly
and included in the report on HIV, hepatitis, and drug use by provincial
health officer, Dr. John Millar? If so, why did heroin win out as the
Number 1 choice for treatment?

Millar's report calls for up to $6 million in new provincial funding for
treatment. That's a good start. But those who propose that this treatment
be free heroin should think long and hard about what you are committing us
to and try to visualize the future you are having a hand in creating.

Why is Canada committed to following in Sweden and Switzerland's footsteps
of offering free heroin when next door in the U.S. we have proven
successful detox treatment programs for opiate addiction?

I know addiction specialist Dr. Lance Gooberman of New Jersey would gladly
come to Canada to discuss his successes with his program. The treatment
consists of opiate (heroin and methadone) reversal under a general
anesthetic that is followed by a program of Naltrexone maintenance therapy
in conjunction with a 12-step follow-up. Naltrexone is approved by the FDA
and has been in use for over 20 years.

Costs for treatment vary depending on the addict's habit. Gooberman tracked
1,500 patients and found that the success rate after the first eight weeks
was 100 per cent, and after two months was 85 to 99 per cent. After one
year, the success rate was 75 per cent.

Why can't we develop a business plan and budget for the treatment of heroin
addiction, including prevention, education and maintenance? Why does
everything in B.C. have to be crisis management?

Yes, we currently have 15,000 addicts. Yes, it will cost a fortune to
develop and implement an effective program. Say it out loud and accept
responsibility for it because it isn't going away. This can be provincially
and federally funded as well as corporate and community sponsored.

We need to adequately budget to fund law enforcement officers to do their
job, we have zero tolerance at the border and slap-on-the-wrist sentences
for traffickers in our courtrooms. We can't continue to give mixed messages
because it creates more apathy and confusion. Before we realize it, heroin
will be legalized. Treating heroin addiction by ignoring what got us here
in the first place won't solve anything.

We've banned tobacco advertising and sponsorship because we are afraid the
tobacco companies are targeting our young people and it will encourage them
to smoke. But let's legalize heroin? It's certainly a lot easier than
facing what we need to do to manage this crisis. Could "China White" heroin
as proud sponsor of next year's Symphony of Fire be much better than those
yucky tobacco manufacturers we're protecting our kids from? Duh!

Treatment of heroin addiction is manageable, but someone has to be
responsible for it and the only people stepping forward are those who
support a quick fix.

Ashley Sager

Vancouver Researcher Ashley Sager is investigating heroin addiction
treatments. Further information on the Naltrexone program is available at
http://www.detox.center.com.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski