PUBLIC IS VICTIM OF DRUG USE

Re: Victoria encouraged to act now on harm-reduction for drug users (News,
March 17)

The emphasis continues to be on the plight of the drug users, without
paying any attention to the vast majority of the victims, who are
namely the general public.

It is difficult to have any sympathy for the drug users, almost all of
whom elected the lifestyle through bad decisions.

In all the talk about safe injection sites, the main forgotten point
is that addicts still have to pay for the drugs they buy on the
street, perhaps an average of $100 per day.

Since many addicts are not gainfully employed, they resort to crime,
which pays about 10 cents on the dollar re-selling the stolen goods
and hurts the victims of theft.

Handing out drug paraphernalia to addicts at safe injection sites only
makes for happy drug dealers, likely waiting around the corner to make
a sale.

Roel Hurkens

Victoria