OPINION DRESSED AS FINDINGS

The central problem with Dr. Colin Mangham's report on Vancouver's
safe injection site (Insite) is not that his findings are politically
incorrect.

It is that the report is essentially his opinion dressed up as findings.

Not to mention that the report appears to have been bought and paid
for by the RCMP, hardly an impartial group.

Mangham also sets up a false dichotomy -- either we engage in harm
reduction or we focus on treatment.

Nobody disagrees with treating addiction.

But until we fundamentally change our basic approach (using the
criminal law, police and jails as the primary and main response),
harm reduction initiatives like Insite are critical.

That is why more than 15 peer-reviewed studies support the work being
done at Insite.

Sure, we should respect different opinions about harm reduction.

But we should craft legislative policy on the basis of evidence, not opinion.

Kirk Tousaw

Vancouver