Caring and detox offer a way out of drug addiction

Re: Oct. 21 Herald story, “Site will be ‘clean and safe space.’”

ARCHES spokesman Stacey Bourque says that there are 3,000 drug users in Lethbridge, and double that number in southern Alberta. Do I have a solution to this problem? No, I don’t, but I do have some ideas.

Bourque says we need to find the underlying cause, and yes, there could be several things that could lead people down the wrong path, but now we enter an area of perhaps blaming others or a system minimizing our personal responsibility for our own conduct of life. Bourque says, “the relationships they build have been effective in helping drug users access more care.”

Yes, great. Then she says, “and possibly detox and treatment.” That “possibly” leaves a big question: is detox and rehab not the best way to rehabilitate?

And now the government in its wisdom is legalizing marijuana for recreational use. I always thought that recreation was life enhancing, in sports, mental and physical exercises, but now government is fine with using marijuana as a chemical feel-good stimulus. I am at a total loss.

My wife Lena and I are somewhat involved with a drug and alcohol rehab for men in Mexico, and yes, while these men are in the detox, they do feel like dying, but with the help of the caregivers, with Christian love and care, they do come through. But these men must fight and challenge life, and they have a daily work assignment based on their skills. One man, when he entered the facility, said to the man in charge, “I came here to meditate.” He was told that he must first meditate on a shovel handle.

But the leader in charge loves his 20 men, cares for them and helps them to re-enter society. And yes some fall off the wagon but if he is willing, then he’ll be pulled back on the wagon again.

A caring Canadian.

Hans Visser Taber