A16 THE SUN THE EDITORIAL PAGE FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007

GRAHAM HARROP’S VIEWPOINT Published by Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. 1 – 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3N3 KEVIN D. BENT President and Publisher PATRICIA GRAHAM Editor-in-Chief KIRK LAPOINTE Managing Editor • FAZIL MIHLAR Editorial Page Editor HAROLD MUNRO Deputy Managing Editor • STEWART MUIR Deputy Managing Editor VALERIE CASSELTON Executive Editor THE NEWSPAPER’S VIEW New study showing Insite’s role in getting addicts into treatment should silence critics s the evidence mounts, it’s since, for some people at least, it becoming harder and harder for seems to be doing the exact opposite. Adetractors to condemn Insite, Insite is therefore not only a powerful Vancouver’s supervised injection harm-reduction measure, but is also facility. an important adjunct to treatment. We already knew, thanks to studies This in turns means that the Con- published in the world’s top peer- servative government, which is due to reviewed medical and scientific jour- release its anti-drug strategy next nals, that the site is associated with week, no longer has a valid objection many positive outcomes: Insite has to Insite or to developing supervised been attracting the most high risk injection facilities elsewhere across users, has helped quell public disor- the country. der and has reduced needle sharing. After all, when Health Minister Despite all of this positive evidence, last year announced detractors have continued accusing the deferral of the Insite of “facilitating” drug use, and decision to extend have argued that it doesn’t help peo- Insite’s exemption ple to get off drugs. Now, with the lat- to operate, he said, est study by researchers at the B.C. “Do safe injection Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, sites contribute to published in the current issue of the lowering drug use VOICE OF THE PEOPLE top-ranked substance abuse journal and fighting addic- Addiction, it’s time to put those objec- tion? ... Given the tions to rest. need for more Drivers treated injured dog like garbage taken off the air. In fact, every major The study built on a previous facts, I am unable media outlet in the country is vehe- paper in the New England Journal of to approve the cur- I was driving to work on Tuesday morning, westbound on 88th Avenue mently opposed Medicine, which found that regular rent request to between 184th and 176th in Surrey, when I saw a poor little beagle flailing to Chavez, as use of Insite and contact with Insite’s Tony Clement extend the Van- around in the middle of the eastbound lane, howling in agony. Obviously, he anyone who has addiction counsellor were each inde- couver site for had broken hind leg(s), but the cars simply drove around him. Who knows been to the coun- pendently associated with entry into another three-and-a-half years.” how long he had been there begging for help? try knows. RCTV residential detoxification programs. Now Clement has more facts, as the I rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, it was too late. I’d like to thank the workers partici- The study begins by noting that the Addiction study answers his two gentleman in the BMW who stopped to help me put the dog in my car and all pated in an number of individuals entering detox questions in the affirmative. So he has the women at the All About Pet Clinic in Langley who did what they could for attempted coup rose 30 per cent in the year following no reason not to extend Insite’s life, the beagle. against the demo- Insite’s opening. Researchers then and to ensure that supervised injec- I was appalled by those who just drove by the injured dog, as if he were a cratically elected assessed a random group of 1,031 indi- tion facilities (SIFs) form an integral garbage bag. Have they no conscience? How could they show so little compas- government. viduals who used Insite, and found part of the government’s anti-drug sion? This was someone’s family member, someone’s best friend. I hope these They don’t that entry into detox was associated strategy. drivers think about that dog every time they look in the mirror. belong on the air- independently with entry into Or as University of California San I’d like the dog’s owner to know that he didn’t die alone on the side of the Mike Palecek waves, they methadone maintenance and other Diego Medical School professors Stef- cold, dirty road; he died with a loving touch, in the presence of those who did belong in prison. addiction treatment programs. fanie Strathdee and Robin Pollini put what they could to save his life, no matter how insignificant it was to those I would encourage readers to see This suggests that Insite is helping it in an Addiction editorial accompa- who kept driving past him. www.handsoffvenezuela.org for to get people into long-term treat- nying the study: more information. ment, thereby reducing or ending “It is time for politicians who LISA NICHOLS their drug use. And many of the peo- oppose SIFs on the grounds that more Langley MIKE PALECEK ple Insite helps are, as the study’s research is needed to be honest with Vancouver authors note, “extremely difficult to their constituents: it is lack of politi- reach with conventional treatment cal will, not lack of data, that is keep- Right to breathe trumps stand. After witnessing the devastat- FSA analysis has strategies.” ing these life-saving public health ser- ing impact of this child’s death, I no scientific credibility This study also puts a lie to the vices out of the hands of drug-depen- addiction to nicotine hope students will take something claim that Insite facilitates drug use dent citizens.” Re: Lawsuit filed in condo smoking positive from this very negative situ- Re: School rankings take into ✒ battle, Westcoast News, May 25 ation and choose to live more peace- account test participation, Elemen- In the 21st century, with all we fully among their peers. My heart tary School Report Card, May 19 know about secondhand smoke, why goes out to both the victims and Whether or not you agree with Base Parliament’s makeup is Maureen Nicholson’s lawsuit even offender’s families. standardized testing of children necessary? It is self-evident that the such as the Foundation Skills right to a smoke-free home trumps RITU GILL Assessment, there is one aspect that on population, not politics convenient access to an obnoxious Surrey is critical — that the analysis of the and harmful recreational drug. test results is scientifically valid and he simple notion of representa- Edward Island benefits the most. In Furthermore, if Claire Bellwood’s Protesters divert attention objective. This ensures that the con- tion by population has always total number of extra seats, Quebec neighbours have to tolerate her nox- from their cause clusions are supported by the test Tbeen compromised in has been the big winner with seven ious fumes and the fire hazard she data. As a scientist, I am appalled at by regional interests. more than it deserves. creates, they are entitled to let her Re: Police review actions of TV the approach used in the Fraser Instead of a simple mathematical The Conservative government’s lat- know how her behaviour affects crew at office protest, May 24 Institute’s analysis of FSA results. In equation that assigns seats in Parlia- est attempt to rebalance the House of them. If legitimate complaints upset One must hope that those who it, students who did not sit the test ment based on the number of people Commons, Bill C-56, which was given her, her problem is with addiction, trashed Premier ’s were assigned a zero score. Essen- who live in each province, the way first reading earlier this month, not the complainant. office stopped to realize that they, in tially fictitious data was introduced power is shared is warped by politics should allow B.C. and Alberta to There are more of us rooting for fact, trashed every taxpayer in this into the analysis; for some schools and history. maintain relatively the same clout we Nicholson than she could possibly province. the final ranking is based on 30-per- Since before Confederation, law- have now as our populations grow. guess, and she is inspiring others to cent made-up data. Such analysis makers in have been trying to It also pulls Quebec back closer to stand up for their rights. (I am an I. BILL GRUENTHAL would never be accepted for publi- Burnaby maintain a fair balance between the level it deserves, much to the cha- asthmatic who has been forced to ❐ cation in a quality scientific journal. numerical equivalency and historic grin of the Bloc Quebecois, which move six times because of smoking I would recommend that The Van- regional interests as provinces have argues that fair treatment is not good neighbours.) Why would a serious newspaper couver Sun refuse to publish the been added and populations waxed enough for its province. Who knows, maybe in 20 years we devote one speck of ink to David FSA-based rankings until this and waned. But the projections done by the will have a government capable of Cunningham, a self-indulgent for- approach of assigning zero scores to Generally speaking, the changes Ontario government show it will fall grasping that being able to breathe mer dug addict who advocates crim- students who did not take the test is have favoured the interests of regions increasingly farther behind. While the in one’s own home is a necessity and inal action totally disproportionate discontinued. that have fallen behind at the expense view from here is that Ontario has that the lack of smoke-free housing to his alleged cause? of those with higher growth. Based on unfairly dominated Canada since in is a real problem DR. PAMELA CAMPBELL population, Quebec and the Atlantic Confederation, we cannot in all fair- requiring a real solution. LARRY ROBINSON Vancouver provinces have retained more clout ness demand equity for ourselves White Rock than they deserve while Ontario, based on population while ignoring SERA KIRK Rick Hansen makes the world Alberta and British Columbia are the same principle for others. North Vancouver Venezuela is a better place under-represented. Conservative House Leader Peter a thriving democracy The last adjustments to the formula Van Loan says that, even though Teens have to learn life isn’t Re: The man’s motion at 50, West- were made more than 20 years ago. Ontario will have only about 35 per a video game Re: Venezuela poised to become coast News, May 22 Compared to some previous versions, cent of the seats and 39 per cent of the another Zimbabwe, Jonathan Man- I have had the great pleasure of the Representative Act of 1985 adopt- population by 2011, it will still be bet- Re: ‘He was always laughing,’ May thorpe, May 23 getting to know Rick Hansen as a ed by Parliament had relatively few ter off under the new formula than it 22 As the Western Canadian coordi- director of the Fraser River Sturgeon exceptions to the simple math. But would under the existing regimen. It is very sad to see yet another life, nator of the Hands off Venezuela Conservation Society. The first time those exceptions — the clause that That argument is beside the point. Chrisna Poeung’s, taken too soon — campaign, I was appalled by I attended a meeting, I was in awe of says no province shall have fewer If the government is going to address and for what? Some kids have too Jonathan Manthorpe’s column. him — and still am. He is gracious members of Parliament than it does the deficiencies in the 1985 formula, it much pride, or maybe they feel they He accuses President Hugo and thanks every director personally senators and the clause that guaran- should address them all. The simplest have to put on an image of being Chavez of being a military dictator. for coming to each meeting. He tees provinces will not lose seats — way is to cut further into the histori- tough. Kids need to wake up and On the contrary, Venezuela is one of makes everyone feel special and has have continued to erode the notion of cal advantage given to the Atlantic realize the conse- the most democratic countries on a wonderful ability to inspire diverse representation by population. provinces. Why should P.E.I. have quences of their the planet, its constitution passed interests to work together towards a Currently, only three provinces — four seats for a population half the actions. Life is overwhelmingly by referendum in common goal. His persistence B.C., Alberta and Ontario — do not size of the city of Victoria? not a video game 1999. Chavez has won more electoral reminds me of the very sturgeon we gain seats as a result of one of the The Atlantic provinces will no where you can go contests than any other world leader are trying to save. The world is cer- clauses. That means all the other doubt howl. But in governing for the around stabbing since his first election in 1998. tainly a better place because of him. provinces have more MPs than B.C. future, we need to recognize Canada people. Manthorpe describes RCTV as has on the basis of population. for what it has become, not what it In high school “one of the few remaining critical MARY-SUE ATKINSON On a per capita basis, Prince was. it seems as voices” and complains it is being North Vancouver though fighting is the norm to The editorials that appear in this space represent the opinion of resolve conflicts. The newspaper. They are unsigned because they do not HOW TO CONTACT THE EDITOR: So who do we LETTERS: Include name, address and daytime number. Maximum length: 200 words. necessarily represent the personal views of the writers. The positions taken Ritu Gill blame? Society? in the editorials are arrived at through discussion among the members of Photographs of writers are welcome. Editorial pages only: 604-605-2184. Violent video E-mail: [email protected] (no attachments). ISSUES & IDEAS: Include the newspaper’s editorial board, which operates independently from the news games? Bad parenting? A lack of pos- name and number along with submission of no more than 750 words to: departments of the paper. The members of The Sun’s editorial board are itive role models? I don’t know the [email protected] (no attachments). Writers whose submissions are editorial page editor Fazil Mihlar, editorial writers Harvey Enchin, Craig answer, but I know that kids need to accepted for publication will be notified within two weeks. FAX: 604-605-2522. McInnes and Peter McKnight, editor-in-chief Patricia Graham and publisher find other ways to deal with con- ADDRESS: The Vancouver Sun, Suite 1-200 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C., V6C-3N3. Kevin Bent. Columnists Stephen Hume, Jonathan Manthorpe flicts. I don’t think this is an easy Copyright in letters and other materials sent to the publisher and accepted for publication remains with the and Barbara Yaffe are advisers to the board. task, but someone needs to take a author, but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic and other forms.