SHOOTING GALLERY NOT THE ANSWER

THE EDITOR:

Tony Hebden ['Addicts need our help' Times, Feb. 11] is perplexed as
to why I would choose HIV infection rather than hepatitis C regarding
safe injection sites and harm reduction.

I apologize for failing to mention [Times, Feb. 7] that in the list of
reportable diseases in B.C. promulgated by the department of Health
[BCMJ 2002 44(10) 551], hepatitis C is included [also hep A,B,E and
others].

My point is that HIV is not.

To consider the free distribution of needles and safe places to inject
by the public health department, without coincidentally screening or
having the authority to do so for this disease when necessary, flies
in the face of reason.

The public health authorities in this province have not employed all
available conventional public health measures to combat HIV/AIDS over
the past 20 years. The BMJ headline [ Jan. 18] 'Canadian aboriginals
in Vancouver face AIDS epidemic' reflects this and despite the
opinions of politicians and others the 'quick fix' of free needles and
places to shoot up is not the answer.

Dr. James E. Parker
Abbotsford