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Safe consumption sites aren’t the right solution

There are many related programs that can occur in conjunction with safe-injection sites or without
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Safe consumption sites may reduce harm, but they don’t prevent addicts from buying, selling and using drugs, says letter writer. (BLACK PRESS file)

To the editor,

Re: Compassion necessary in drug response, Letters, June 20.

Well, here we go again. According to the letter writer, I was told I don’t understand addiction and then she went on to list a slew of drug user terminology. I personally wouldn’t be proud of that.

There are many related programs that can occur in conjunction with safe-injection sites or without. Needle exchanges; medical and addiction counselling and support; education; street outreach; collaborative efforts between social services, health professionals and police; as well as enforcement, can all continue to take place without creating these sites.

But heck no, the writer thinks we should open these sites; who cares if they’re near businesses and children’s playgrounds.

Now the premise of these sites is ‘harm reduction.’ I’m sure that’s a great idea for those hell-bent on destroying their lives, but it doesn’t prevent individuals from buying, using, selling and walking the streets carrying dangerous and illegal drugs. The area becomes a gathering point for addicts, traffickers and other criminals. According to this letter writer, we as citizens shouldn’t have a problem taking the family to view spaced-out addicts lying and loitering on sidewalks, using and harassing passers-by.

All I am trying to say is that people have an option and that option is not to use. Why should residents, shopkeepers and visitors in the community be surrounded by such a negative atmosphere all due to the personal decision of the drug users?

There has to be a line somewhere in terms of right and wrong social experiments. Although society should do all it can to help these individuals return to a healthy lifestyle, is allowing them a haven to further their habit the answer? And if the city is hell-bent on opening these sites, set them up next to a police station or a location away from homes, businesses, schools and playgrounds.

D. Cousin, Nanaimo