GOVERNMENT FUNDING SUPPORTS ADDICTS

To the Editor,

Re: Harm reduction hardly a waste of taxpayers' money, Letters, Sept. 29.

Matthew Elrod suggests we should reduce the law enforcement budget
regarding drug use and obviously spend the money on harm reduction.

Of course, the people producing drugs would then have to curtail their
production, as there would be far fewer drug addicts.

Unfortunately, in the real world, providing addicts with wet housing,
clean needles, food and even counselling has not reduced their number
nor their use of drugs.

If anything, it encourages them to continue because of the free
support.

Sorry, but that doesn't cut it with the majority of
taxpayers.

If we do something illegal, run a red light for example, we pay the
price if we're caught. We don't have counselling for better driving
habits, nor a chauffeur provided.

All I'm saying is, if there was no money from government sources, the
amount of support for drug addicts would be greatly reduced.

J. Sharpe

Nanaimo