ADDICTS NEED TREATMENT, NOT HARM REDUCTION

I'd like to respond to Dr. Michael Seear's Aug. 27 remarks about
Steve Austin's Aug. 25 letter.

Contrary to what he says, drug addiction is not a complex human
problem that needs to be addressed by a multi-layered approach.

Addiction is a disease and, although in the beginning the person
seems to have some control over alcohol and/or drugs, at some point
he/she crosses a line where the substance completely controls him or her.

At this point, addicts have no choice. They will return again and
again to the drug that is destroying them mentally, physically and
spiritually, and the family gets to watch this horrendous process.

Harm reduction is akin to babysitting someone in hell. If you speak
to the family of an addict, you'll find they want him or her to go
into treatment, as opposed to a supervised injection site.

Unfortunately, addicts can't make this decision, as their world is
ruled by the drug and anyone who gets in the way is trampled.

Addiction is a disease that can be overcome by going into treatment,
but we need to be able to force addicts to get help. They may bounce
in and out for a while, but treatment gives them a chance for
recovery, and that's better than living permanently in hell.

Barb Rodger

Mission