tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29038780.post3427139651562743909..comments2007-07-13T05:20:55.918-04:00Jason Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00235579770274235358noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29038780.post-72019838906059397132007-07-13T00:31:00.000-04:002007-07-13T00:31:00.000-04:00As a licensed psychologist with 30 years experience working with addicts and alcoholics, I am appalled by Mayor Sullivan's approach to "cleaning up Vancouver." Historically, programs which provide safer/legal drugs to addicts have failed to secure the desired effect, namely the elimination of crime associated with illegal drug use. Methodone clinics often become heartbeds of crime and even violence. IV heroin drugs users who are given methodone report that the "rush" they experienced with "shooting up" is missing and the high from this so-called legal substitute just doesn't give them the desired effect they crave. They often report that it is more pleasurable for them to find a way to get the methadone out of the clinic, sell it on the street and replace this legal substitute with street heroin. This brings the problem full circle as they once again return to illegal activites. In addition, those few who stick with the methadone often spend years of their lives hooked on this substitute resulting in failing health and life-long dependency, with no hope at recovery. These people need intervention, detox, education and treatment in the form of 12-step programs and therapy to help them back to the world of healthy living and away from the life of crime and ill-health which goes along with illegal drugs use.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com