To the editor,
I cannot, again, just sit still while the soft spoken do-gooders wring their hands and say we have to have another meeting to solve the multitude of deaths due to the overdose problems.
I do understand that mental illness is one thing, but since we changed the laws in this country for free drugs for the users, places where they can go and shoot up and no help given or resisting their use, what other result would ever take place?
Listen, and truly hear and watch the deep sorrow and grief in the families left behind, or children lost to their families because they are serious users and tell me we are really and truly doing all we can to alleviate the problem.
Our laws suck and have not been changed in any way for the past, what, 30-40 years? We have in our small city a huge problem and our downtown is a nightmare at the best of times. The police cannot do much when whoever they arrest is out on the street in hours to continue on or, if they make it to court, a slap on the wrist and then released.
Look at the street people, who, for whatever drug they take, are bent over at the waist for hours, with their friends just sitting there and shooting up and all we do is drive by and shake our heads.
We have to stop the useless words, and wasting time so we can at least lessen the numbers of lives lost this way, because it will never stop.
If you think I have no grip on this topic, please tell me but if I am not wrong, please pass this on and share. Maybe, just maybe more people will take the appropriate action and don’t forget to say a prayer for the families in grief. It hurts me to the core to see friends and friends of our families go through this horrific pain that will never go away.
Bonnie Williams-Paquette, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Shutting down institutions has shifted social problems
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Social problems make downtown feel uninviting
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Letters policy: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and will be edited. Preference is given to letters expressing an opinion on issues of local relevance or responding to items published in the News Bulletin. Include your address (it won’t be published) and a first name or two initials, and a surname. Unsigned letters will not be published.
Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: 250-753-0788
E-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com