NO QUICK FIXES

Some Readers Think Helping Addicts Out Of The Abyss Is Better Than Enabling
Them To Make Drug Suppliers Rich

I am not sure whether the right wing or the left wing or either has a "fix"
for the drug mess down town. However, Sergeant Al Arsenault is dead on.
Addiction is a disease, whether the drug is alcohol or any other kind of drug.

The ultimate goal of any therapeutic intervention -- be it medical,
counselling, or whatever combination of approaches -- is to empower the
individual to overcome the disease.

Programs like the current harm reduction initiative seem to foster
continued dependency, rather than give the drug-dependent individual ways
to get a handle on the addiction and explore and optimize possibilities for
healthy living. Thus, these programs end up being patronizing, further
marginalizing the population they presume to help.

Veronica Ertis

Port Coquitlam