FACTS AT ODDS WITH PRIME MINISTER

Dear Editor,

Stephen Harper's callous attitude towards drug-addicted people
continues to be thwarted by the facts.

The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled that Insite - Vancouver's supervised
injection facility - will remain open, despite the federal
government's objections.

Research has shown that, since Insite opened its doors, there has been
a large reduction in public drug use, syringe-sharing, and discarded
syringes. Research has also shown a reduction in the transmission of
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

In addition, since Insite opened, more addicted people are seeking
treatment and information on detox services. Even further, there has
been no increase in public drug-dealing and no increase in drug use or
drug-related crime.

But Mr. Harper is not one to let the facts get in the way. He is
appealing the B.C. court's decision - all the way to the Supreme Court
of Canada - and yet, the facts are already in. But this is not about
efficacy, it is about elections. Mr. Harper has run on a "tough on
crime" platform.

That platform looks awfully foolish, if harm reduction sites like
Insite actually work. So he is trying to shut it down before people
realize that it does work. He is willing to kill hundreds of addicted
people and help to increase the transmission of HIV/AIDS, if it helps
him get a majority government.

Insite should be a source of national pride. We are helping addicted
people get off drugs, reducing crime, and reducing harm. Many
countries are looking to us as leaders in harm reduction.

But Mr. Harper is not interested in actually solving problems. He is
content in making problems worse, if it helps him win elections. We
have a sadist for a prime minister.

Travis Erbacher,

Langley