DRUG-WARRIOR RHETORIC

Regarding the article "Opium glut means more drug deaths", March 25:

RCMP Staff Sergeant Chuck Doucette said he generally supports what the
harm-reduction network is doing and sees the importance for everyone
involved in drug-addiction issues in Canada to know what's working and
what's not. He should have left it at that. Instead he resorts to
drug-warrior rhetoric: "I'd like to see people off drugs. The problem with
safe-injection sites is they take money from prevention and treatment."

In the real world some people will never be off drugs whether the drug is
alcohol, tobacco, coffee, cannabis, Valium, or whatever, so it is difficult
to discern why Staff Sergeant Doucette would even voice such a thought.
Also, the report points out that harm-reduction is indeed prevention.

If he sees the importance of knowledge, then he must honestly see the
importance of understanding that knowledge. Otherwise, what good is it?

Debra Harper

Saanichton