Letters to the Editor, Sept. 1, 2024

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REDUCING THE HARM

Re “Dying for the cause” (Brian Lilley, Aug. 23): To demonstrate that safe harm reduction sites lead to harm we will require a parallel experiment where a similar population without such sites are observed for a reasonable period of time. But we can’t do such experiments with humans. So we are shown an attempt-to-end life being foiled. But what prevents that person from trying it again and again because the reasons for the fatal overdose attempt are left unaddressed? But how do we explain increased overdose deaths even as more safe injection sites are provided? One easy explanation: Cheaper prices and greater availability of licit and illicit drugs, the supply side view. The other side of this coin is the demand, which is left out from most analyses. What if people seeking such drugs are looking for an escape from the trials that are part of living because they feel unfit to participate, due to poor education, social isolation, and lack of direction? To fix these we don’t need health experts, only each other.

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Arif Uddin
Toronto

(It’s a nice notion to need one another – and yes we do – but in reality society needs a functional policy that doesn’t put others at risk and actually helps addicts recover)

DEAD MAN VOTING

Re “Can the dead speak?” (Heather Rivers, Aug. 20): I have been an election scrutineer and heard this story: A man died shortly before an election and his name was still on the voters’ list. Another man impersonated him to vote. He was caught because the dead man’s son was the scrutineer. The young man leapt from his chair, ran to the imposter, threw his arms around him, and yelled, “Father! You’re back!”

Paul Cerar
Toronto

(There are lots of stories about this, though entertaining, it’s a bad look for democracy)

HOW IS MARINELAND STILL AROIND?

I cannot believe Marineland is still allowed to have animals in their care. I suppose “care” is not a great word when it concerns Marineland’s treatment. When will the government step in to rehome all these animals and finally shut down this horror show? No one loves Marineland, especially not the residents.

Sweta Brahmbhatt
Toronto

(But they have survived for a reason)