the NB Post: "Harm reduction" term used to disguise today's 19th century-style drug dens

1/25/12

"Harm reduction" term used to disguise today's 19th century-style drug dens

(The following letter appeared in the letter section of The Province newspaper)
Forget harm reduction, let's have dope reduction instead
By G. Phillip Braun, The Province January 22, 2012
Dr. Anthony Ocana's recent letter to the editor is indicative of the liberal view of drug addiction in this city by a select list of special-interest groups that is turning us into a haven for crack addicts, heroin addicts and other socially destructive behaviours. I am tired of it.

Firstly, Dr. Ocana should under-stand that the media are sup-posed to provide a balanced view of issues. I guess editorialists are now no longer allowed to express opinions in Vancouver, in particular around socially critical issues like drugs because we wouldn't want to upset people like him.

I always find the so called expert's choice of the words "harm reduction" pathetic when it comes to these programs. Harm reduction? How about some dope reduction!

Secondly, I thank him for his explanation of "fundamentals of neurobiology" for those of us who "don't understand addiction". Sounds like all of us in this town are stupid and Dr. Ocana has all the answers. Every time someone criticizes or has an opposing view of Insite or any of the other drug/ alcohol related harm-reduction programs in town we get branded as unaware, ignorant or need to be better educated on drug/alcohol addiction by people like him.

Frankly, I can do without Dr. Oca-na's form of education. We have ideas and solutions, but, suggesting anything that isn't providing a place to shoot up, provide a crack pipe, free alcohol or explain how it's better to snort heroin instead of injecting it is likely going to be viewed as a suggestion from the "uninformed."

Finally, I find his comparison of a cancer patient to a drug addict an insult. How can he conclude a child with any form of cancer is no different from some crack addict?

Our city and provincial leaders need to start listening to the silent majority. I am sick of the drugs, their effects and the direction the city is taking relative to their bogus harm-reduction programs. Harm reduction is some theorist's view of a utopian response to people who simply don't want to be responsible for their actions.

G. Phillip Braun, Vancouver
http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=c702c015-9962-4106-a142-1ded1a3969a5

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Letters to various newspapers

(A letter in the Vancouver Sun, 11/22/11):
Calling marijuana a 'healthy sin' is irresponsible
Re: 7 healthy sins, Nov. 12

I was dismayed The Vancouver Sun would publish Randy Shore's article asserting that the use of marijuana is a "healthy sin."

Should a family newspaper advocate the use of an illegal substance linked to lung cancer and mental illness?

I have met many people harmed by marijuana use resulting in psychosis, lack of motivation and short-term memory loss. The social costs of accidents, productivity loss, and crime due to marijuana is huge.
--Deborah Harden, North Vancouver

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(A letter in the National Post, Sept. 13, 2010):
Pot is not a harmless drug
Re: A Notable Defector In The War On Pot, Sept. 10.

When did pot start to become a harmless, benign drug? It's easy to point to individuals campaigning for its legalization and totally forget that in the United States, nearly 70% of family abuse problems are related to illegal drug usage, including pot. And its absurd to compare pot to alcohol, as the latter is usually consumed for the flavour. A more likely health comparison can be made to tobacco but if we look around it's not hard to see that product being phased out.

Most people I know are moving toward a healthy life style. They drink in moderation, don't smoke or gave up the habit. Legalizing dope puts us back to the days when drinking and driving was common, smoking was considered normal and family problems, including family violence, were considered to be private matters only.
--Phil Marentette, Calgary

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(A letter in The Province's ChatBack section, 8/20/10):
More meth labs
When the grow-op burns down next door, takes your house out, what are you going to carp about then? Of course, you'll blame the RCMP(police)!

Yes, legalize the garbage and it will create the same life-threatening problems as booze and smokes. But if you think the grow-ops will go away, what about the supply needed for the U.S.? Do you honestly think all the criminal scums will turn to honest work if it is legalized? No, they will just change what they do. More meth labs. -- name withheld
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(A letter which a pro-drug newspaper refused to print):

Re: 'Decriminalization--beyond the war on drugs' editorial, Aug. 28

We're tired of seeing editorials/columns/letters from pro-drug-legalization individuals and policy groups, repeating the same tired, false claims that drug prohibition and the so-called "war on drugs" don't work.

What they should be admitting is: the total failure of the non-extistent "war on drugs"-- de facto drug legalizations -- in Vancouver (the result is the Downtown Eastside, where NO prohibitions exist and the resulting tragic consequences are plain for all to see).

They deliberately ignore the clear successes of the real "war on drugs" in places like Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, most Asian countries, and most Muslim countries; NYC, etc. -- reason why they don't have any "Downtown Eastside". Fortunately, they have never copied Vancouver's legalization's failure -- otherwise, hundreds of "Downtown Eastsides" would now be flourishing throughout the world.
-- Dave I., Vancouver

the NB Post

1/25/12

"Harm reduction" term used to disguise today's 19th century-style drug dens

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