Who pays for the addict's 90 day stay?
metalman.

How much are the grocery bills for the staff and residents at Baldy Hughes? Who buys them? Where? How often? Lastly, who pays? Can I drop in for lunch to see how well my tax dollars are being invested?

It is better than having them walk around loose downtown or anywhere else. Maybe some of them might turn their lives around. I guess it is better to pay for them in there rather in jail,when they get out of jail they will go and do it all over again. Plus the staff want to keep their jobs.

I could come up with a very quick, cost effective way to permanently cure all drug addicts along with anyone caught selling or caught with illegal drugs.

DEATH

Harsh Yes! necessary to greatly reduce the problem I think Yes.

Our current laws and imprisonment have seemed to do nothing to even slow this problem let along solve it.

Not sure why people feel that we need try and rehab these people. They made the choice in life and even if they are successful in breaking their addition will they ever really become a positive member of society. Will they continue to be a higher drain of medical resources over non drug users? What have the effects of drug abuse had on their brain and mental ability?
We are already continuing to over populate the world we live in. In the wild nature has a natural cull system. Humans seem to be the only animal on the planet this left unchecked. I am sure if we continue on our current path nature will find a way to cull us too, in order to keep the balance of the planet.

Death is too final for some peoples sensitivities. Besides, we are supposed to be civilized. We have a sliding scale of justice? One for the rich and one for the poor? Show some remorse (real or imagined ) and get your sentence reduced. Works like a charm.

I really can't believe the ignorant, malicious garbage spouted by some of the people on this site. Filth is filth, no matter how politely expressed.

It sounds like they plan to relocate the drug addicted from all over Canada into Prince George, welcome to George ST. and to our nice new Homeless Shelters.

Anyone who is irritated by some of the comments on this site always has the option to go somewhere else. Of course, there is no need to post filth here and it would be better if there wasn't. But, there are some who regularly make posts with accusations, finger pointing, condemnation, sarcasm, baseless insinuations and even ridicule in respect to politics.

There is, believe it or not, more than one way to skin a cat and nobody is perfect.

Lifesucks, I agree with your assessment of the need for this treatment facility.

$ 2.0 billion are being wasted on the purchase and refitting of 100 second hand Leopard battle tanks from the Dutch army in order to hunt down Afghan enemies.

As long as we spend that kind of money to throw away somewhere else we shouldn't even question the cost of any drug treatments here at home.

It is money well spent because rehabilitating the addict has the spinoff benefits of curing a dozen or so other social problems as a result.

It is a way of spending money once on one problem, instead of spending money 12 times on 12 separate problems. Solve one problem, the rest go away.

As usual most people on these posts havent got any real information to base their opinions on.

In the first place the Facility at Baldy Hughes was bought by I beleive the Vancouver Foundation, which is a charitable organization. Secondly it was set up and is being run by a former Liberal MLA, who ran in the last Federal Election as a Conservative and lost.

Those who go there for treatment would be paid Welfare and a portion of their Welfare would go to pay the cost of their treatment. If they didnt go into treatment they would still be collecting Welfare.

Some imates would be transferred to the facility from the Provincial Jail, and maybe even the Federal Prison systgem, and the cost would be born by those Governments whether they kept them in Jail or transferred them to this facility.

Some people might pay their own way, however this would certainly be the minority.

I notice that they are talking about increasing staff, and would therefore suggest that they will be getting an increase of clients from the prison system, and perhaps some regular clients locally because the Government closed down the Nechako Treatment Centre. last year.

There was no mention of the number of clients presently at this facility, and I would suggest that there are very few.

If I were to make a prediction I would say that it will be history in less than two years, if not then it will still have very few clients.

My sense is that this facility came about because of the 2010 Olympics, and will be able to house a lot of people in the short term, who would otherwise be on the streets of Vancouver. I suspect that clients will be given the choice of 90 days in treatment, or 6 Months in jail, and either way they will be off the streets until after the Olympics. What happens then is anybodys guess.

Alcohol consumption, and drug addictions are a big drain on the economy, however we havent yet attached a cost to stupidity.

Stupidity causes more greif and hardship than anything else, however it is totally acceptable in a society.

We can spend a million dollars so that a few hockey fans can see a replay at the CN Centre, but we bitch when someone trys to help a few drug addicts.

These people are willing to try and help themselves and would be on social assistance either way. To be there or be on the street buying dope with tax dollars? I am thinking Baldy Hughes is a great idea. Makes more sense all the way around. The assistance money goes back into public coffers instead of the crackhouse. people get jobs helping them, they get to learn about themselves and how to get back "to the land of the live" so to speak.
I don't know the fine details of the place but I do know that it is a work in progress.So is life. I know a man that was lost and found himself there when they opened. I know his children and they have a new respect for him. He was a great guy a few years ago and with the help there, he is on his way again to being a great guy.
Maybe they could be like the seniors and special needs and become a registered charity so they could get a cut from the other addictions that aren't so...messy like gambling and lotteries.

I do not need your opinion as to what I may say, Diplomat.

Hitler used to practice DEATH for social misfits, as our poster so ignorantly recommended. I find that filth completely unacceptable and absolutely typical hate speach, and if you don't like me saying so, go somewhere else youself. I will never stand by and do nothing so that Hitlerites can ever reintroduce their filth.

Ammonra

I would be interested to know of how you would consider the execution of drug dealers who are poisoning our society hate speech?
Can you actually bring yourself to defend these monsters who have no regard for society and its laws, or care who's life they destroy!
Those that purchase and do the drugs also must take some responsibility for their actions. Are they as guilty as the supplier, perhaps not, but they are still part of the problem.
Perhaps you believe death is to harsh a penalty for those that commit crime on society.
You are entitled to this, as am I to mine.
Calling me a Hitlerite, ignorant, or guilty of hate speach! This is uncalled for and without merit.
The reality is there are places in the world that drug selling and possession is punishable by death.
Do I believe this practice would reduce drug crimes and use here? IMO Yes.
I have posted my position on this to bring the issue of a death penalty out as an option.
If you have an opinion speak it if you can do nothing but write insults, I believe Diplomat said it best.

Filth? Hmmm? Lack of vocabulary? Try another adjective please. That's why they produce what is called a thesaurus. Thanks. If the word filth is used to describe someones opinion other than the writer, I guess that's another story.

Ammonra: "I do not need your opinion as to what I may say, Diplomat...I find that filth completely unacceptable and absolutely typical hate speach, and if you don't like me saying so, go somewhere else youself.

Diplomat: "Of course, there is no need to post filth here and it would be better if there wasn't. "

You, Sir, are conveniently disregarding my statement above, namely: ..."and it would be better if there wasn't.

You are desperately attempting to connect me somehow to the comments made by *fenceman* about death which I deplore completely.

You obviously have an irrational grudge against anyone here who has expressed criticism of the past history of the NDP.

Go ahead, keep picking on me. I shall still voice my opinion, in spite of your personal attacks.

Aside from the topic of the Addictions facility I would like to say this:

I enjoy discussion based on facts, but here is something that I deplore.

"There are some who regularly make posts with accusations, finger pointing, condemnation, sarcasm, baseless insinuations and even ridicule in respect to politics."

I didn't say that YOU are one of them, but obviously it rubbed you the wrong way.

There must be a reason.

Just out of curiosity I did a Wiktionary search on the word *Hitlerite* - there is no such a thing. They don't exist, fortunately.

Wikipedia, same thing - except it suggests the word *Hutterite.* They don't believe in the death penalty either, just like me.

Stalinists, Mussolinists, Jack the Ripperites...Attila the Hunites...perhaps.

Ah well, never mind.

;-)

There is something being missed. Humanity! Compassion!
When we are young we don't aspire to be a drug addict or
alcoholic. All children think life will be great. All children
think oportunities are equal for all. I'm pleased that some
people think social disease doesn't apply to thier level of
society. Everyone has alcoholism and drug addiction in thier family no matter thier stature in life. It knows no bounds and we don't know how far we are from being on the street. Job loss, grief,being a victem of violence doesn't come in class. Have compassion ,for goodness sake! But for the grace of god go we. This is not polliticts this is real life mankind taking care of mankind, dispite politics. Shame on the self righteous.

Nonsense, Diplomat. Neither the world nor my life revolve around you.

What I objected to in your post was "Anyone who is irritated by some of the comments on this site always has the option to go somewhere else." I did not object to anything else. Please stop making assumptions about me. You have never met me as far as I know and can't possibly have any insight into my psyche.

The ending "ite" in English has the meaning of "follower of" or "resident of". It is also used to indicate a type of mineral. It is a standard English construct and any English speaker would understand the meaning of the word "Hitlerite" as being a follower of Hitler, and yes, they absolutely do exist still. Ridiculing English language constructs do not in any way alter their use and meaning.

Perhaps it was listed in the dictionary of Filth?
Always enjoy reading your posts Diplomat. Even in disagreement you are honest, diplomatic and insightful in your responses.

A most worthy and enjoyable adversary in debate.

Without ideas and debate of ideas were would we be?

To Fenceman, in general I do not support the death penalty, even for drug dealers. I have not made up my mind about child rapists because I respond so emotionally to that.

What I found so maliciously offensive about your post was your statement that "I could come up with a very quick, cost effective way to permanently cure all drug addicts...Death."

Drug addicts are victims, not criminals, and need to be treated medically, yet you propose to murder them. That is hate, and I find your comments despicable. You would murder a whole group of people for no reason other than they are doing something you don't like. Hitler did do that, and the world has absolute contempt for him and his memory.

Ammonra

I believe a person who makes the choice to do drugs has made a choice that will in the end be a cause to their early death.

We as a society have said the doing and selling drugs is wrong and against our laws, this is not just something I do not like it is the LAW of our land.
If one has drugs in their possession they are breaking the law and in such are a criminal not just a victim.
Would this not be reason enough for a harsh punishment?
Perhaps I am wrong suggesting such a harsh punishment.
If so then what are our alternatives to end this epidemic that is plaguing and destroying our citizens??

Ammonra: "Nonsense, Diplomat. Neither the world nor my life revolve around you."

My disappointment is overwhelming! Here I was, totally convinced that the whole world and ammonra are my satellites, revolving around me...

Actually I do feel a certain sense of relief that is not so...

Ammonra: "What I objected to in your post was "Anyone who is irritated by some of the comments on this site always has the option to go somewhere else."

Why be irritated by the truth? There were in fact some regular contributors here who stated that they had heard enough b.s. and that they wouldn't stick around anymore.

I object to many statements that are regularly being made here but I still enjoy coming back here, reading them and all the other banter and often informative views and opinions. I have a thick skin and well founded opinions which provide me with a great degree of tolerance.

I try not to intentionally offend and irritate but unavoidably there will be some who will feel offended or irritated not only by my opinions but by the comments of some others as well.

If that is too much of a problem I can always do a little soul searching and decide to refrain from submitting any more comments starting this week.

Have fun!

I do not believe that death is an appropriate punishment for becoming a drug addict, as in most cases I assume it is a lapse in judgement or a bad decision to even try the stuff. I do believe however that the death penalty may be worthy of consideration for those who are convicted of producing, distributing, selling drugs. Of course there are a host of considerations; how many grams in possession constitutes trafficking? (set the limits, stick to them) First time offence (no, that one would not work) In short, there is NO excuse for selling social disease and lingering death, NONE!
I would ask that Fenceman and others consider how they would feel if one of their family became addicted.
metalman.