POLICE INSPECTOR BLIND TO PUBLIC DRUG ABUSE

To the editor:

I am replying to the comment by Insp. Bob Rolls of the Vancouver
police department ("Insite staff urged to help addicts inject," Dec.
4)-"I spent almost four hours in the Downtown Eastside Wednesday and
several hours out on the road walking and didn't see one case of
somebody shooting up."

Obviously, he isn't looking in the right area.

Having recently taken over a business on Powell Street, I can't even
count how many times I and my staff have witnessed junkies shooting up
in the alley, in our doorways, behind dumpsters, or openly on the
street. I'm sure anyone who travels downtown has witnessed it at one
time, so for a police inspector to state he can't see it is absurd.

I can send him a bucket of used needles that get collected on a
regular basis as proof if he likes.

N. Cardarelli

Vancouver