ADDICT NEEDS HEALTH FACILITY, NOT PRISON

Re: "Addict gets his wish: More time in prison," Journal, March 18th.

Very few people sympathize with drug addicts who commit crimes to support
their addictions. After all, they voluntarily became junkies despite all
warnings.

However, when one wishes so much to kick the habit that he is prepared to
spend an extra six to eight months in jail, then we should be prepared to
help him in all ways possible. This addict is in need of a health facility,
not a jail, and health is a provincial matter, not federal. It is therefore
surprising that the provincial government is not supplying that need.

Maybe if the provincial and federal health ministers put aside their turf
wars and jointly sponsored such a facility we would all benefit with
shorter terms of confinement, less crime, safer streets and the knowledge
that we have helped someone straighten out. A win-win situation.

Thomas D. Leaver, Edmonton