BACK CHAT

Readers had lots to say about news that two women died and another
person ended up in hospital over two days from "bad" heroin. Police
don't know if it's cut with something toxic or extra pure, but are
warning addicts to be careful. Join the conversation at:
http://theprovince.com/opinion

The Province

Cash not well spent

I'm sorry, but for the $1 million a day we pump into the Downtown
Eastside we could be making a substantial change for people in Africa.
In Canada we have these low-life, strung-out street people with all
the opportunities in the world. It's appalling.

No excuse

So you're basically saying that having a poor, rough childhood and
being abused excuses these people of picking up the needle and
absolving themselves from being an honest contributor to society and a
decent human being?

They take the risk

I'm sorry. Am I supposed to be concerned addicts are being forced to
pay for their own idiotic choices? They shoot up all the time knowing
they might die.

Dumb thinking

Why do some people say they understand addiction and mental illness
and then expect the sufferer to make logical, sound choices? Who is
being dumb?

Empathy lacking

I think a lack of any real empathy is worse than being an addict. I
know where I stand with an addict; not so with a fake person
masquerading as an honest taxpayer.

More should be dead

When Vancouver is the only city in North America where you get a $300
fine for having a quarter ounce of heroin on you, I'm surprised there
aren't 1,000 deaths a week.

Addiction is a disease

I am in long-term recovery from addiction. I am also in the addiction
services field. Roughly five per cent of addicted persons will ever
stay sober for more than a year. Addictions are not "bad habits" or
"temptations." Drug or alcohol addiction is a very serious mental
illness that is not reflective of the sufferer's moral worthiness,
willpower or strength of character.

Fix your own lives

All of us have to manage our lives. Why should those who haven't as
well, be rewarded? Especially when there are recovered addicts who
also say addicts shouldn't be helped as they must make the changes in
their lives themselves.

No compassion

Where is your compassion and empathy, people? I sure hope that drug
addiction never affects you or the ones you love.