DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMENTS MISS THE MARK

Your latest editorial on the city's Four Pillars Strategy (All four
pillars needed to combat drug scourge, May 15) draws the right
conclusion with its demand for more drug treatment resources, but
misses the mark in its comments on enforcement. When the Vancouver
Police Department launched the City-wide Enforcement Team initiative a
year ago, it received widespread criticism that its tactics were too
harsh.

Now the enforcement effort is faulted for merely "moving the problem
around."

The key objectives of the CET were to reduce the open drug trade in
the Downtown Eastside and to restore order in that community. Those
objectives are being met. Displacement of the trade to other locations
- - indoors and to other areas - was anticipated. The VPD has followed
up with additional enforcement.

Since the enforcement effort began, Vancouver Coastal Health has
opened its supervised injection site, the harm reduction element of
the strategy, with impressive results. Lives are being saved. Many of
those using the site would undertake treatment if it were available.
The Sun challenges us to "complete and implement the plan without
delay." We're on the case.

The city, for its part, is undertaking a lengthy consultation to
develop new prevention strategies. The Vancouver Foundation has
undertaken the creation of a Four Pillars Fund, to encourage
philanthropic support of the strategy. Vancouver Coastal Health is
working hard to improve treatment resources. Is the strategy unfolding
perfectly? No, but we believe we've turned the corner and begun
reducing the harm caused to our community by addiction.

Larry W. Campbell

Mayor, Vancouver