COUNCIL'S TOO SLOW OFF THE MARK ON DRUG PROBLEMS

Although I find the protests of groups like the Vancouver Area Network of
Drug Users and the Housing Action Committee despicable and contrary to the
interests of the majority of people in the Downtown Eastside and the city
as a whole, I am concerned with the slow pace with which the city is
implementing the four-pillars approach to drug addiction.

Was this an election slogan or a genuine model to help a neighbourhood out
of control? Perhaps if councillors spent more time dealing with the
problems of the Downtown Eastside and less time framing terms of reference
for silly things like peace committees, we would be closer to cleaning up
this mess that is an embarrassment to our city.

The people of Vancouver are watching. If in three years, we are no closer
to cleaning up that neighbourhood, the legacy of this council will be one
of total failure. They should get busy. Now.

Mike Smythe, Vancouver