ON THE EASTSIDE FRONT, LIBBY DAVIES FIGHTS ALONE

Far from the nightmare, a lack of consensus and political will leaves
little hope amid the despair of the Downtown Eastside.

Here's an idea. Whenever Prime Minister Jean Chretien or his ministers
visit Vancouver, let's drive them straight from the airport to the Downtown
Eastside.

On their way to their Liberal fund raisers or meetings with schoolchildren,
let them get a close-up look at Canada's nightmare neighbourhood.

The gruesome back alley reality of Hastings and Main has become so
outrageous it's attracting international attention. Last Thursday, the New
York Times published a lengthy article on our drug scene.

It referred to Vancouver as "Vansterdam" and reported the city is "quickly
gaining a reputation as a haven for illicit drugs and those who use them."

Which wouldn't be news to Libby Davies, who is about to mount yet another
earnest crusade from the Commons' opposition backbenches.

The Vancouver East New Democrat called recently for a trial federal program
allowing doctors to prescribe heroin to addicts.

Ms. Davies speaks from the heart in her caring for Vancouver East
constituents. Her Christmas card to me last year, which remains on my desk,
reads: "The law in its majestic equality forbids the rich as well as the
poor to sleep under the bridges, to beg in the streets and to steal bread."

Among Ms. Davies' constituents are society's rejects, the folks who beg,
steal and die to escape the harshness of their lives. Sections of her
riding reflect a truly shocking Canadian tragedy.

Lower Mainland residents have heard the stats so often they no longer shock.

Vancouver's drug addicts -- most of whom hang out in the Downtown Eastside
- -- number about 6,000. Between 1,400 and 3,000 of them are HIV positive.

To date this year the lives of 224 people ended as a result of cocaine and
heroine-related deaths. The final tally for '98 is expected to reach 400.

Every year, the same thing. What to do?

There are those, like Ms. Davies and some in the medical and law
enforcement communities, who argue that by decriminalizing drugs and having
doctors in authorized treatment centres prescribing heroin, we could save
lives and curtail Vancouver's rampant drug-related crime.

Others say this is absurd; such a plan could negatively influence
adolescents contemplating drug use. And further than that, it might
undermine B.C.'s methadone program aimed at getting addicts off drugs. The
addicts might opt instead for the heroin maintenance.

Last October, then-B.C. health minister Joy McPhail rejected Ms. Davies'
proposal for decriminalization.

In other words, there's no medical, let alone political, consensus on what
to do. Until there is, it's unrealistic to expect politicians to act
decisively.

That said, it's not enough to simply shrug. Since no one seems to have the
answer, trial heroin prescription programs should be set up and tested
under strictly controlled conditions.

In addition, serious money is needed to establish a greater number of detox
centres. A bigger problem than heroin is cocaine.

Better housing opportunities for the people who hang out in the Downtown
Eastside are also crucial. As Ms. Davies says, housing is where
self-respect and dignity starts.

In fairness, civic, provincial and federal authorities have been working
together on the problem. But the approach has been far too slow and
tentative. The area needs to become a public priority to get the resources
required to make a difference.

Ms. Davies will try to turn up the heat when Parliament reconvenes next
month by presenting a motion urging implementation of the heroin
prescription trials.

The Chretien government is unlikely to go for something so revolutionary.
Further, the Downtown Eastside has not shown itself to be a top concern for
either Health Minister Allan Rock or Justice Minister Anne McLellan.

Last fall, Ottawa contributed $1 million toward additional prevention and
treatment resources -- a drop in the bucket relative to what's needed.

The truth is, it's difficult to get federal attention focused on a faraway
problem in a riding held by an opposition member. And there's not much
taxpayer will to spend money on society's dregs.

Statistics and press reports don't quite bring home the misery as Ms.
Davies feels it, living close to the area, spending time there. The
Vancouver East MP told me, "I'm just going to keep pushing on this. I mean,
what else can I do?"

The answer, given the current mood of taxpayers -- probably nothing.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan