INTOLERANCE UNACCEPTABLE

I am responding to the commentary on Vancouver's experimental heroin
program that appeared in the Feb. 19 Weekender.

I find Mr. Langmann's comments to be outrageous and insulting. He
implies that addicts should be shot.

This kind of intolerance is unacceptable in a humane society.

I moved to Canada because of the growing intolerance in the USA, and I
was shocked to read a commentary that demonstrates inhumanity, along
with a complete lack of understanding of addiction problems.

While it is true that rehabilitation programs generally show low
levels of success, there are some areas of hope. Heroin programs, like
the one being tried in Vancouver, show a reduction in crime and a
lessening of the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases related
to addiction behaviours.

Addiction is a medical and social problem. Hence, it is best treated
as an illness, rather than being dealt with as a crime. Tolerance and
compassion are key to coping with addiction.

The best tool we have to fight addiction is early education (beginning
with teaching about self-esteem as early as Grade 1) and primary
prevention, not cruelty, intolerance and ignorance.

James D. Becker

Sayward