THEY ARE PEOPLE, NOT 'JUNKIES'

Re: Junkies Could Put End To Experiment, Brian Hutchinson, June 10. One of
the key elements required for good-hearted people to commit or support
sadistic actions, as described by social scientist Philip Zimbardo, is the
dehumanization of a group of people.

When our drug laws were first introduced they were designed to
destroy the Chinese immigrant community. Today in our progressive
world, we simply label all drug-addicted people as junkies. They are
not brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, parents, friends or lovers.
They do not have their own hopes, dreams, aspirations or any inherent
human value. They are pests.

Brian Hutchinson should feel proud to continue such a tradition of
sadism and human suffering. I only hope he can continue to live a
sheltered life where none of his loved ones fall into this class of
sub-human. If not, perhaps he would think twice about using the word
"junkie."

Travis Erbacher,
Langley, B.C.