MORE COMMENTS ON HEROIN SAFE HOUSE IN VANCOUVER

I AM WRITING in response to your article appearing on the Nipawin Journal
website about the recently opened heroin safe house in Vancouver.

While in your article you make several valid and relevant arguments, I
think that you are missing the point.

The opening of this safe house is an appropriate and accurate reflection of
a new generation which is rising and making its voice heard in this
country, a voice which you may not be all too familiar with.

This is a generation that emphasizes understanding and even more so
tolerance, whether it is towards marijuana, gay marriage or heroin safe
house issues. In saying this I am by no means encouraging or advocating the
use of heroin.

But we must come to realize what is happening in the world around us.

While it may not be a situation that is incredibly attractive, we as a
society must realize that some people may choose to inject heroin into
their arms.

Drug use exists. It's a part of the world we inhabit, and we must learn to
deal with it.

Come to think of it, some of those horrible deviants may even live in our
own pristine little town.

People can be addicted to nicotine, caffeine and alcohol and yet still
remain decent people.

Just because an individual has a substance abuse problem does not mean that
they are horrible genetic deviants who must be ignored and left to die.

We all have our own problems, strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore shouldn't we as caring members of society do our best to help
someone else up when they are down?

By opening this safe house we are acknowledging an existing problem, and
offering those with a problem some kind of refuge where they can be safe
for a few moments in their lives and maybe even get themselves some help.

How is helping people such a terrible idea?

Consider for a moment the alternatives: an increasing number of overdoses
and a probable rise in AIDS.

I for one am all for helping someone with their problem in a safe and
sanitary environment compared to letting them die.

There is a common misunderstanding that acceptance and tolerance is the
same thing when in reality they are not.

Just because you tolerate something doesn't mean you have to like it.

You tolerate a crying baby, or your annoying mother-in-law, but you don't
have to like them.

The so-called 'issues' faced by Canada today are no different. Just because
a man in Vancouver does heroin, or two men get married doesn't mean you
have to like it and it certainly doesn't put your life, children or values
in danger.

And instead of blaming the current economic and social problems faced by
the province of Saskatchewan or British Columbia, perhaps you should look a
little closer to home.

Dan Yates
Nipawin