Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact: letters@tc.canwest.com
Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Mel McLean

VICTORIA NEEDS MORE DETOX BEDS

With the debate over needle drop boxes and safe-injection sites, the
City of Victoria is overlooking the key issue in helping addicts.
Victoria has five detox beds, and a wait-list time line that most
people looking for help can't abide. The only other treatment centres
on the south Island are private facilities that cost upwards of
$20,000 a month.

To gain admission into Victoria Detox, one must get a refferal from a
doctor. One must also have a telephone so that Victoria Detox can
contact you when a bed is available. Victoria Detox also suggests
those on the waiting list call them daily to check their status. The
wait can be up to a staggering six weeks!

There is a lot of paperwork, a lot of doctor visits and a lot of red
tape to gain access to a program that's meant to help addicts. Many
addicts don't have the inclination to fight to get into the program.
After reaching out for help and being told it can take up to six
weeks to gain admission, they give up and and some may even die.

If we really want to help people and, conversely, clean up the
downtown area, why not make help available? We don't need needle drop
boxes, and we don't need safe injection sites, these items only
enable addicts to continue using. We need to reach out and offer
people an option for life beyond their addictions.

Mel McLean,

Victoria.