COMMUNITY FORUM CALLS FOR ACTION

I wish to applaud Harm Reduction Victoria, the conveners of the
community forum held Sept. 18 to discuss the loss of Victoria's fixed
needle exchange. The discussion expanded into the effect of illicit
drugs overall, affordable housing and other social problems.

There appeared one common plea - the problems have been studied to
death. Action now is essential to prevent further decay,
disintegration and agony in human society.

As a former alderman in the city of Prince Albert, Sask., I sat on the
boards of hospital, regional health authority and police commissions.
As a paramedical professional for more than 50 years, I am aware of at
least one cardinal rule in medical practice - find the cause, remove
it, prevent recurrence.

In this direct connection I offer the solution towards the curse of
illicit drugs: legalize, control, treat, educate. Probable effects:
destruction of the illicit market, coincidental drop in attendant
crime, with massive cost savings, effective health care, education
toward regular employment.

The results would be availability of enormous capital, currently
expended on the hopeless war on illicit drugs, affordable housing and
various help to less fortunate citizens.

Why, I wonder, does our federal government not recognize this scenario
and necessarily act?

Is it ignorance, or simply a lack of guts?

Stephen Lamb

Victoria