HERE'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT: HEALTH AUTHORITY'S PLAN TO PROVIDE SAFE
INHALING MATERIALS TO DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE CRACK SMOKERS

As a person who has worked in the Downtown Eastside for nine years, I've
watched millions of dollars in grants and funding pour into the social
agencies in this depressed area. By the time it gets through administration
costs, very little gets to the street.

Social agencies don't fight for facilities for treatment. If they reduce
the drug problem, their funding would dry up.

I agree with Dr. Stanley de Vlaming. When is Vancouver Coastal Health
Authority going to open its eyes and fight for treatment instead of helping
to expand the drug problem?

Vanessa Jackson,

Vancouver

I don't agree with helping drug addicts get high. It'll just encourage more
addicts to come here. Back in the 1930s, when England tried a similar
thing, all the city's drug addicts left Vancouver to go there. God only
knows how many addicts will return.

Jack Harrison,

Richmond

It's ridiculous to enable drug addicts. They should put every penny into
rehabilitation and more beds.

Debbie Holmes,

North Delta

I agree with Dr. de Vlaming. Harm reduction means nothing more than
facilitating continued addiction, normalizing a very unhealthy lifestyle.
What message is this sending to our youth?

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority should be focusing on treatment.

Drugs are harmful. Period.

Pat Lehman,

Richmond

I'm on the methadone program and I do not agree with aiding addiction. Even
the methadone program is sort of bad, too. The best thing is abstinence.
That's the only thing. Making it easier for addicts will just get more
people into it.

M. Wilson,

Vancouver