THE DRUG BEAT

ITEM: UBC is sponsoring a series of pblic discussion called "Drug Policy - Public Health or Criminal Justice Issue?"

The only problem is that the speakers are THE USUAL SUSPECTS...Larry Campbell, Phillip Owen, Centre for Addicitons Research, Fraser Institute and so on.

Good luck on hearing a thought that isn't part of the accepted wisdom.

ITEM: Doctors Pan Mayors Drug Plan. Yes, as they should. And we needn't dwell on the obvious. But there is one telling little moment in this story. NAOMI - the hateful experiment where addicts are given free heroin is described as providing "heroin to long-term addicts, along with intensive counselling and support.

Now this little gem exemplifies how little any of these geniuses know or care about addictions.

YOU CANNOT COUNSEL SOMEONE WHO IS TAKING HEROIN, AS YOU CANNOT TALK TO A DRINKING DRUNK. YOU ARE NOT TALKING IN THESE INSTANCES TO A PESON. YOU ARE TALKING TO A CHEMICAL.

The entire premise is false and the enterprise is doomed.