MORE GRAPPLING WITH DRUG USE

Editor, BC Christian News:

Re 'Grappling with drug use' (January): While the debate over safe
injection sites is essential, we were disappointed to see no mention of how
can we prevent substance abuse before these kinds of sites are necessary.

Research shows that early prevention education reduces the early onset of
substance use, and that delaying early alcohol and other drug use leads to
a reduced likelihood of misuse or addiction. Also, for every dollar spent
on prevention, an estimated $15 is saved on health care, enforcement and
treatment costs.

Images of addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside may cause many to call
for more treatment programs. But we have no further to look than our own
children -- and our community's classrooms -- for a way to prevent
substance abuse.

Art Steinmann,
Executive director, Alcohol-Drug Education Service,
Vancouver

Editor, BC Christian News:

It is unfortunate that Mayor Philip Owen ('Mayor addresses Vancouver's drug
problem,' January) sees fundamental churches as narrow-minded and
"basically very dangerous." In essence, he is declaring that Christ -- whom
he professes to believe in -- is a very-narrow minded individual.

I would like to see the mayor and his associates show up for prayer to
almighty God each Tuesday before city council meetings. They need to trust
God that he will clean up the Lower Mainland, if they humble themselves
before him.

If this is too simple and 'narrow-minded' for them, let them use the
'86-page document' they put so much faith in; they will find out that it's
not worth the paper it's written on.

God has his own document, called the Bible. It is dangerous to try
bettering the world without consulting God's word.

Horst Jaeger,
Saved By Grace Ministry,
Vancouver