REGURGITATED RHETORIC

Joey Thompson's column on free heroin uses the same inflammatory
rhetoric that was common in Vancouver's newspapers during the mid
1990s, when hundreds of people were dying of overdoses.

At the same time, the rates of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other
diseases were escalating as a result of the drug trade.

How wonderful Thompson continues the tradition.

There is already accountability built into new programs and services,
but it should not be driven by those with a reactionary view of the
drug situation, who lack understanding of the complexity of drug addiction.

People with low incomes are facing time limits on receiving social
assistance, and there are wider restrictions on receiving disability
assistance.

There is little evidence of Thompson's contention of the growth of
"the list of do-gooders lined up to hand-deliver services to these
guys."

Addiction-service providers are engaged in some of the city's hardest
and most stressful work.

To characterize them in this way does nothing to serve the public good
or your readers.

Am Johal,

Civil Society Development Project