PROOF IS OUT THERE

Rev. Harry Lehotsky created a false dichotomy between treatment for drug
addiction and harm reduction.

The Vancouver Plan, as unanimously endorsed by the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities, calls for a balanced "four pillars" approach, with equal
emphasis on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement.

According to the auditor general, 95% of the federal drug control budget is
allocated to law enforcement and interdiction. Provincial and municipal
budgets are similarly skewed. Imagine a towering column surrounded by three
foundation stones.

Contrary to Rev. Lehotsky's assertion that "the philosophical propaganda of
harm reduction is betrayed by lack of practical proof," every major study
of needle exchange programs has concluded that they reduce the spread of
infectious diseases and the prevalence of discarded syringes without
encouraging or increasing drug use. The evidence supporting methadone
maintenance programs and supervised injection sites is also robust.

Faith, intuition and ideology are great for columns and sermons, but public
policy should be based on sound evidence, tangible outcomes and realistic
goals.

Matthew M. Elrod

Victoria, B.C.