ARGUMENT BASED ON FACT

Your view is completely unrealistic. The situation is that most, if
not all, drug addicts are incarcerated as a result of criminal
activity generated by their addiction - a condition that is a direct
result of their own decision to experiment with drugs and their
determination to continue. These individuals have absolutely no
respect for the rest of society and have no hesitation in making
innocent people victims by breaking into their homes and/or
businesses, robbing elderly persons on the street, stealing credit
cards or identity or whatever other activity they find will give them
what they want.

Contrary to your statement, drug addiction is not an illness but
rather a self-induced state for which the individual must accept
responsibility.

Randy White is absolutely correct in stating prisoners should not be
coddled and that includes not funding or supplying addicts with
needles. Such action simply enables the individual and virtually
destroys any desire to break from the addiction. You are correct in
stating, "illegal drug use in and outside of prison is wrong and
should never be condoned." If this statement is genuine you can hardly
suggest taxpayers should fund clean needles for prisoners.

Obviously drugs are being smuggled into penal institutions and the
problem is undoubtedly one that cannot be completely obliterated.
However, that does not mean the corrections branch at any level should
simply cave in. The correct action would be to have very severe
penalties for persons found to participate in this activity.

It is indeed "high time municipal, provincial and federal politicians
address the problem _ and find real solutions based on fact." The fact
is that enabling addicts by providing free needles is detrimental, not
only to the addict but to each and every one of us. I do not want to
see my elderly relatives victimized by the actions of any addict and
certainly not by one that has made the determination that he/she will
not be reformed. The fact is that if the alcoholic is determined to
drink regardless of the consequences, he/she must accept the result of
his/her actions. The same applies to drug addicts that are absolutely
determined not to change their lifestyle. That includes all risks
associated with the use of dirty needles and/or the injection of
illegal drugs. The argument is not based on fear but fact.

Frank C. Wirrell,

Abbotsford