THROWING JUNKIES INTO JAIL HAS NOT WORKED

RE "City soon to offer addicts free gear." Kudos to the city for this
amazing step forward in harm reduction. Everywhere that safe injection
sites and needle supply clinics have been opened, the transmission of
disease, overdose deaths, use and abuse, have all been reduced. Living
in Hintonburg myself, I am elated to hear this news. I see the results
of failed drug policy every day in my neighbourhood in the form of
dealers and whores working the corner.

Another idea that has merit is to regulate supply of the actual drugs
through these clinics. When there is a consistent, clean, affordable
supply of these highly addictive drugs, most addicts have an easier
time of getting clean, reducing use, and generally managing their habits.

Look at it this way: If a heroin addict knows that all he has to do is
go to the clinic (instead of some creepy street dealer) and get a fix
once or twice every day, he is less likely to rob others, and less
likely to hang around with other dangerous people. There are many
benefits -- women won't have to prostitute themselves on the corner
for $20 a pop just to get their next fix, the "john" loses an
opportunity, the dealer loses a customer, the addict who goes to the
clinic can get counseling and help to get completely clean, and the
community has one less problem.

The policy of throwing junkies into jail has not worked yet, and
likely never will. I applaud this new development in Ottawa.

Russell Barth

(Perhaps, though it's a bit beyond the city's powers)