CRACK KITS IGNORE REAL ISSUE

To the Editor,

Re: Distribution of crack kit surprising, May 31.

When do we draw the line between right and wrong?

In the past five months or so, the health authority has been quietly
handing out kits to crack addicts.

Reducing Hep C and other illness reduces the cost to the medical
system for individuals who are using an illegal substance.

Perhaps known burglar shoulds be given steel-toed work boots, hard
hats and the proper tools to ensure they don't get injured during a
B&E.

Why are we spending so much money on criminal offences?

In the case of addicts, would that money, time, and energy not be
better used arresting these individuals and sentencing them to a
mandatory rehabilitation.

The same goes for safe injection sites. We are actively supporting an
illegal substance in the name of safety.

What's next? Why not turn a few of the local pubs into safe drinking
sites so that those who are fighting alcoholism can drink safely?

How much taxpayers' money are we going to dump on these Band-Aid
solutions that do nothing for the actual problem of homelessness,
poverty, unemployment and substance abuse?

Why not come up with more creative, real solutions?

Let's arrest them for their crime and make mandatory prison
sentences.

But then again, wouldn't that make way too much sense for a political
body to grasp?

SHER MATSEN

Nanaimo