VICTORIA MUST STOP ENABLING DRUG ADDICTS

Re: City backs plan to distribute crack-pipe gear (News, July 15)

Kudos to Victoria city councillor Geoff Young for being willing to
stand up against the distribution of crack-pipe gear to addicts.

On the other side, the crack dealers are no doubt celebrating this
move by the city.

In June 2008, a city report indicated the average drug addict was
committing annual crimes of about $350,000 in value in order to feed
his drug habit. Multiply that by the number of addicts, and the figure
is truly staggering in terms of costs to society.

Why is the city then enabling their drug habits, and so perpetuating
the crime spree? Why give ammunition to defence lawyers who will try
to get their drug-dealer clients off by showing that the city supports
their activity?

Stop enabling the drug addicts.

So what if drug addicts have some finger and lip burns or cuts - it is
a result of their choice of lifestyle.

As for "hepatitis C and other communicable diseases" maybe that is
just natural selection taking place in this group of addicts.

Roel Hurkens

Victoria