FOUR-PILLARS APPROACH IS WORKING

Ms. Martinuk's premise and logic are flawed in arguing against
safe-injection sites. Her Switzerland information is 10 years out of date.

There are several nations using a four-pillars approach, including
safe-injection sites. For a site project to work, it must be implemented
properly with a focus on the responsibility and accountability of the
addicts becoming functional members of society.

Switzerland did suffer with the "Needle Park" failure in the late 1970s to
'80s. When they started up this experiment again in 1997 under the
Frankfurt protocols, it reduced crime, got addicts into the health system
and got them off the streets.

Instead of continuing to make addiction a moral issue, we need to see it as
a psycho-medical problem that affects people -- the addict and non-addict
alike.

Safe sites will not make the problem go away nor will they be a wonder cure.

At least they will start to treat people, who have become marginalized,
like humans again. In this, our society may become a better place for all,
eventually.

Jim Speros,

Pitt Meadows