BIASED GARR SILENCES OWEN CRITICS

To the editor:

The work of Toby Hinton and Al Arsenault along with other fellow members of
the Odd Squad should not go unnoticed. Allen Garr's reference to the Odd
Squad as shooting a film about "junkies" on the Downtown Eastside in
simplistic and ignorant ("U.S. War on Drugs crusader gets police lift," May
12).

Garr should be reminded that what he refers to as "junkies" are actually
people who are in the battle of their lives trying to overcome the powers
of drug addiction. Hinton and Arsenault, with other members of the Odd
Squad, are educating the public about the consequences of drug addiction.

In reference to Hinton and Arsenault assisting in the organizing of the
IDEAS conference, Garr quickly assumes that Hinton and Arsenault are acting
on behalf of the Vancouver Police Department and this is an attempt to
undermine the efforts of Mayor Phillip Owen to undo the "four pillars"
approach.

Whatever happened to "What people do on their own time is their own
business?" The work by Hinton and Arsenault was done on their own time,
without bad faith or recklessness.

When Garr writes that it is wrong and it is time to stop them, it only
leads people to believe that Garr wants people who are outspoken against
Mayor Philip Owen and his "four pillar" approach to be silenced.

It is obvious that Garr is the author of a smear campaign against Hinton
and Arsenault. Why should people be silenced from their beliefs?

In a modern country such as Canada, what is wrong with opposing views and
having the ability to express them?

Maybe safe injection sites are not answer. How about a smear campaign
against Garr for writing editorials without facts or thought?

It is apparent that Garr, once again, has come to a biased conclusion when
his Mayor Phillip Owen is facing opposing thoughts.

Bryan Carkner

Vancouver