ADDICTS NEED HELP

I have thought for some time about whether or not to reply to Mr. Deveryn
Ross' last letter Rosser Ward Doesn't Need More Addicts (Aug. 18) against
the proposed facility for addicted persons. I was so shocked at his lack of
understanding towards the disease model of addiction that I did not think
there would be a point as he would argue anyway.

It is shameful that he seems to feel that addiction is a character weakness
and that he also groups all people who suffer from addictions as dangerous.
I would like to ask Mr. Ross who he thinks in the first place would choose
to be addict? Who would choose to hurt themselves and their families in
such a devastating manner? Who would choose to go through such horrendous
withdrawal that they see things that are not there and hear things that are
not there?

Has Mr. Ross become an addictions counsellor now? Has he recovered from an
addiction enough to comment on these things in the first place? He is
creating a stigma against people who have addictions through his negative
attitude.

To recover from an addiction, a mental illness and any other great
stressor, people need support and compassion, not ignorance and ridicule.
When people deal with their own problems and shortcomings, then they can
comment on those of others. Likewise, when landlords take care of their
tenants and their properties, then they can comment on the safety of their
neighbourhood.

One more thing to think about. Recently a young man passed away in the city
as a result of addiction and possibly homelessness.

This is what Youth For Christ is trying to help solve. That man could have
been alive today if such a shelter existed. These are the mistakes that we
need to learn from.

Heather M. Sharpe

Brandon