ADDICTS MUST ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY

THE EDITOR:

Re: 'City abandons its addicts,' Times Opinion, June 17.

Christina Toths column is filled with compassion for the plight of the
addicts in Abbotsford because of the recent zoning bylaw change proposed by
the city council. As a Christian, I certainly agree that compassion is needed.

However, I do have a question regarding responsibility. Toth says, "This
city is giving up its responsibility for you [addicts]."

Is there not the distinct possibility that the addicts have the major
responsibility for the deplorable condition in which they find themselves?
No one ever became an addict without choosing to take these drugs, with the
possible exception of the very few who may be addicted because of
prescription drugs given to them by physicians attempting to treat
illnesses. For most of those on the streets of nearly every community in
B.C., they are addicts because they chose to allow themselves to follow
that path.

Certainly, compassion is needed. But I can't help but wonder whether the
greater compassion might not be shown by helping them get into one of the
many treatment centres in our community and encouraging them to accept the
responsibility of getting their lives cleaned up.

Fred Moore, Abbotsford