DRUG ADDICTS HAVE TO RESPECT COMMUNITY NORMS

Re: We're going in circles chasing drug addicts, Voice of the People, Feb. 25

Letter writer Chris Davies's statement that "anything related to drug
usage has absolutely nothing to do with enforcement" reflects the
muddled thinking that has led Vancouverites to resignedly accept open
IV drug use and the resulting 150,000 used syringes that the
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority tells us are "inappropriately
disposed of" annually in our city.

By supporting the Vancouver Police Department's enforcement of
existing laws against public drug use, we as a society are making it
clear that this activity, and the associated needles left in lanes,
parks, playgrounds and schoolyards, is not acceptable and will not be
tolerated. It is obvious that the majority of Vancouverites object to
addicts shooting up in public and leaving uncapped needles in areas
used by other residents.

We need to make it very clear that although we realize this strategy
will not solve the drug problem or eliminate addiction, we need
police enforcement to change the behaviour of drug addicts so they
will respect community norms. Because we have been so muddled by the
politically correct pronouncements about addicts' needs, wants and
rights, we have neglected to state very clearly that public health
and public safety for non-using adults and children are equally important.

Eileen Mosca

Vancouver