Society is not helping drug addicts by pampering them

By Lethbridge Herald on July 27, 2022.

Editor:

In Al Beeber’s Lethbridge Herald headline “Council addressing homeless encampment issue on Tuesday,” I noticed that the mayor and council are looking at throwing another $700,000 at the problem without really looking at any real solutions.

I’m tired of trying to change the choice of words used by many in society, so I’ve decided to embrace them and perhaps look at things in a different light.

 Let’s start with “homeless.” Two types of homeless people are “camping” on Lethbridge city property. There are those that through no fault of their own, are truly homeless. I’d like to know how many of the people out there are truly “homeless.” Some of these people may have jobs but their income does not support finding proper accommodations. This should be a top priority and we should support these folks and immediately find them housing.

If necessary they should be afforded temporary housing until more suitable housing can be found. These people then would have whatever supports are necessary to improve their lives so that they can stand up on their own. 

Then some are addicted to hard drugs and spend their days wandering around looking for ways to obtain their next “fix.” Seeing as society likes to call their drug addiction a “disease,” I’m going to play along. Let’s say I’m diagnosed with heart disease, cancer or perhaps diabetes. What do I do? 

I go to a doctor, a specialist, or a hospital for further tests and treatment. So if drug addiction is a disease, then the same path should be followed, right? Not. We just keep enabling these people who will never give up their addiction unless things reach a point where it becomes too uncomfortable for them to continue down their path of self-destruction. 

We are not helping them by pampering them, feeding them, giving them free stuff, and allowing them to disrupt others. Let’s change things whereas the people with the “addiction disease,” have no choice but to accept treatment. It’s a win-win. They get their lives back and so do the rest of the citizens of Lethbridge.

 Will anything happen? I doubt it. In our modern namby-pamby world, we are so afraid of offending someone, we do nothing. One last thing. To the parents that want to “save” their child by letting them continue using drugs and living on the street, until they are ready to get help, you are not helping them. You are killing them through your misguided love.

Doug Cameron

Lethbridge