Philippe Lucas
Working With You for a Better Victoria

Times ColonistMay 26, 2009

People are talking these days about things no one usually talks about, and they are doing it very publicly.

Jody Paterson wrote a brilliant plea for sanity in our attitude toward sex trade workers and their murderers (May 22). Philippe Lucas told fellow Victoria city councillors they should support the distribution of crack pipes (May 23). And for some time, many voices have demanded the Vancouver Island Health Authority reinstate the fixed site needle exchanges they shut down one year ago.

We can discuss drug use and the global research overwhelmingly supporting harm reduction measures such as fixed site syringe exchanges and crack pipe distribution.

We will find enforcement has never been a solution and advising abstinence in matters of drugs and sex is a ludicrous waste of time. Prevention and harm reduction are the productive avenues of discourse. Refuse those discussions for the most marginalized people in our communities and there will be other conversations commanding our attention.

When police cannot enforce the problem away, when health services hemorrhage money to patch up ruined bodies, when corporate agendas subtract more workers’ rights to maximize profits and create more homeless and addicted, then we will have to talk. Let’s do it now, even if the kids are listening.

Derek Peach

Central Saanich

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