WELCOME FRANK TALK ON DRUGS

People are talking these days about things no one usually talks about,
and they are doing it very publicly. Jody Paterson wrote a brilliant
plea for sanity in our attitude toward sex trade workers and their
murderers (May 22). Philippe Lucas told fellow Victoria city
councillors they should support the distribution of crack pipes (May
23). And for some time, many voices have demanded the Vancouver Island
Health Authority reinstate the fixed site needle exchanges they shut
down one year ago.

We can discuss drug use and the global research overwhelmingly
supporting harm reduction measures such as fixed site syringe
exchanges and crack pipe distribution.

We will find enforcement has never been a solution and advising
abstinence in matters of drugs and sex is a ludicrous waste of time.
Prevention and harm reduction are the productive avenues of discourse.
Refuse those discussions for the most marginalized people in our
communities and there will be other conversations commanding our attention.

When police cannot enforce the problem away, when health services
hemorrhage money to patch up ruined bodies, when corporate agendas
subtract more workers' rights to maximize profits and create more
homeless and addicted, then we will have to talk. Let's do it now,
even if the kids are listening.

Derek Peach

Central Saanich