NEEDLE EXCHANGE JUST PART OF ISSUE

Re: "Needle exchange and failed leaders," editorial, Sept. 19.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce takes exception to several of
the contentions regarding the need for a new needle exchange.

The editorial states that "a fixed location needle exchange had
operated successfully Victoria since 1990" and "needle exchanges work."

You would hardly describe the deterioration of the Cormorant
neighbourhood and business sector as a "success." Providing medical
services for addicts is a worthy endeavour but it is only a Band-Aid
solution for a terrible growing problem.

Clean needles solve a public health problem but this type of exchange
service does not lead to treatment in most cases. In Vancouver since
the installation of the Insite drug use centre there has been no drop
in the crime rate with only a marginal increase in rehabilitation enrolment.

Drug laws are not being enforced. Our understaffed police department
is frustrated at the revolving door of justice where arrests don't
lead to incarceration, rehabilitation or supervised housing.

It has apparently become acceptable to enable addiction rather than
tackle the problem and our community is paying a heavy price with
rising commercial and residential crime.

The chamber has long called for the province to establish a community
court in Victoria. The community court in Vancouver moves victims of
drug addiction quickly through a system designed to help guide
devastated lives toward rehabilitation and new hope.

The chamber wants to see drug law enforcement, community courts and
rehabilitation debated by our federal, provincial and municipal
candidates. Simply debating the merits of a needle exchange misses the
point.

BRUCE CARTER

Chief Executive Officer

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce