ADDICTION TAKES AWAY HUMAN RIGHTS

Applause to David Staples for his sensible suggestions for dealing
with the heroin (and might I add, crystal meth and crack cocaine)
problems that our society faces ("Attack herion addition through
compulsory detox," Nov. 27).

The idea of involuntary detox will undoubtably draw fire from those
whom defend the rights of the individual as sacred in a free society.
Under most situations, I would agree. Unfortunately, in the case of
drug addiction, the individuals have largely given up the ability to
make logical choices affecting their own well-being: Their rights
have been taken over by their addiction.

By providing free needles, injection sites, and perhaps drugs as
well, we are not helping the person, but the addiction. A caring
society helps the helpless: Injured victims of crimes or accidents,
the terminally ill, the abused, and people with severe mental illness
who may hurt themselves or others are routinely gotten off the street
and into care. Drug addicts are all of the above.

The best way to help these unfortunates is to attack the beast of
addiction first and foremost, not to offer the kind of help which
will only perpetuate the problem and keep the addicts from getting
the help that they really need.

Mark Hedger,

Saanich.