RUNNING FROM CRACKPIPES

Re: Running as rehab, May 26.

My wife and I were happy to read of the 12 men from Harvest House who
were training for a 10-kilometre run as part of their rehabilitation.
We have been supporting Harvest House for many years now and are
amazed, not just at what these men have overcome in beating their
addictions, but at the joy for life they possess.

I ran my first 10 kilometres this past weekend and know it is no
small feat for someone new to running. The feeling of accomplishment
in setting, and then meeting, a goal you had once thought beyond your
abilities is truly empowering.

Perhaps instead of handing out crackpipes and contributing to
addicts' drug abuse under the dubious claim of "harm reduction," the
city might consider handing out running shoes and memberships to the
Running Room. At the very least, divert funds from crackpipes to
Harvest House and similar organizations. If these men are any
indication, this money would go a lot further in reducing harm from
both disease (the goal of the crackpipe program) and drug abuse (the
crackpipe program's consequence).

Matt and Kate Moore

Ottawa