The current initiative for “safe/supervised injection sites” in Greater Victoria is wrongheaded. It is misdirected, unhelpful and a waste of resources and tax dollars.
In Romancing Opiates by Dr. T. Dalrymple, a British psychiatrist and prison doctor said to have treated thousands of addicts, stated that heroin and presumably other opiates are “not as addictive as claimed,” adding that “withdrawal is not as difficult as treating an alcoholic.”
Addicts regularly game the system to continue their way of life, in spite possible death from overdose.
Illicit drug users should be forcibly treated for withdrawal, not patted on the head and given a new needle. Currently, why would they give up their drug of choice? You overdose, you get naloxone, and you go to ER, recover and do it all over again. In fact, the worse you behave the more benefit you receive from the medical bureaucracy established to deal with addicts.
Why would an addict change? If unable to pay, they get free accommodations, free food, naloxone and soon, a place to consume them. They can get free transport to the ER and priority treatment at the expense of citizens who have to wait their turn.
Pity first responders and hospital staff that have to put up with the filth, smell, disease and abuse from these unfortunates. The resources being expended on these people should be used to help people willing to be treated for their addiction.
I am sick and tired of authorities enabling the sick, despicable people who steal, assault others, beg at the public trough and steal resources from taxpayers; and are being rewarded for their behaviour. It is time to start using forced treatment (punishment) as the “treatment of choice.”
People who overdose have made a choice. Those who overdose twice or more should have to live with the consequences of their choice and not receive further treatment. Personal responsibility should be the rule.
Jim Powell
View Royal