WHY STOP AT ONLY ISOLATING ADDICTS?

Editor, The Record:

I found the recently published letter, Addicts need treatment but also need
to be isolated from society by Robert T. Rock quite intriguing. His solution
to resolving the concerns regarding individuals afflicted with chemical
dependency warrants further consideration.

Several of Mr. Rock's comments caught my attention, "In my own small way I
am trying my best to clear out some of the worst of those leeches"-and-"I am
so fed up with the "touchy/feely" approach used by bleeding hearts, gospel
groups and friendship centres, and other advocates of those poor
misunderstood addicts that I could spit nails"-and-"their wasted bodies and
wasted lives"-and especially, "The sooner they die off and exit the gene
pool the better"-interesting approach to say the least.

However, why stop with the addicts?

Clearly, Mr. Rock's ideology of extermination could be applied to other
target populations. Let's start with the elderly, one third of the worlds
population is "maturing".

The health care costs associated with this target group will be
astronomical. Anyways, dodging those electric wheel chairs cruising the
sidewalks has become a nuisance. We could save substantial tax payers
dollars and personal frustration by isolating our elders with the addicts.

And while we're at it, let's isolate everyone with mental health issues.
Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia (I, for one, am tired of watching
them talk to themselves), chronic depression, mood disorders, mental and
physical handicaps-again, we could save substantial tax dollars by isolating
these people with the addicts. And what about our youth? I've seen the kids
lining the streets of Mission, clearly scheming and strategizing ways to
cause havoc in the downtown core.

Wait a minute, come to think of it, Mr. Rock's solution of isolating and
exterminating the less fortunate has been tried before-remember? Folks, most
of us recognize we have societal concerns in Mission. However, let's try to
identify and implement solutions that encompass love, compassion and
empathy.

One final comment, God bless the "touchy/feely bleeding hearts", gospel
groups and friendship centres for their invaluable support in our community.

I, for one, am grateful that there are people in our community who are
committed to addressing our city's concerns in a "solution-focused" manner
that promotes love and personal integrity.

Steve McGregor,

Mission