Pay addicts to get clean and stay clean

I’m a 61-year-old “addict enabler” with more than 300 years of addiction exposure among family and friends. I believe harmreduction policies further damage harddrug users.

Whether heroin, cocaine, meth, or “medical” marijuana (that topic needs another letter), all levels of government actively support the illicit drug industry. The city and province likely can’t afford to eradicate hard street drugs because addiction and its related services and products is very big business here, employing many. Truly, neither the addict, nor community at large is protected.

Counsellors I saw about the addiction issues of my family members, friends, etc., recommended tough love. They advised me to stop financing the addiction destruction by paying bills, buying groceries and more. This city’s addicts can get free and/or cheap drug equipment, clothing, food, meds, dental, housing, furniture, transportation and soon a safe place to shoot up, too.

It’s difficult to quit any addiction, especially as it’s impossible to get counselling when you’re ready for it. Thus, it’s time for something completely different and revolutionary that’ll give addicts the tools and desire to care about themselves.

My suggestion is that we pay addicts to get clean and stay clean instead of using a ridiculous amount of money to keep them addicted. I’m confident it would be less expensive and would be the surest way to save lives too. If we care about addicts, we must motivate them to heal and discontinue the self-destructive habits whatever way we can. Monica Babic Victoria