Tree talk

It's shocking that in 2005, Montreal doesn't have an urban tree policy ["Talking trees," The Front, May 5].

Trees aren't only useful for their aesthetic role in the cityscape; they also help cool and clean the air, which comes in handy in the increasingly smoggy days of summer. Trees are also economically beneficial, as they increase property values and give the city a green side attractive to both residents and tourists.

When you stand at the top of Mount Royal and look over the city, it's clear how little has been done to protect our trees (as the Green coalition says, only three per cent of the island is protected). It's crucial that policies are established immediately to protect and to re-plant with due consideration for space for rooting and indigenous species. Cities with more progressive environmental policies, such as Vancouver and Ottawa, could serve as role models.

Culturally and architecturally, Montreal is an amazing city, but when it comes to environmantally conscious urban planning, we're sorely lagging. Thank you for drawing some attention to this matter.

» Thomas R. Boyle

Mercy on addicts

As a recovered abuser of a number of abusive drugs (clean 11 years now), I echo the sentiments of letter writer Tyson Campbell ["Free heroin worth a shot," Letters, April 28].

Based on my experience working with heroin and opiate abusers in treatment and recovery settings, I would humbly rebut the myth that harm-reduction programs enable and/or encourage heroin use. Contrary to the ideas put forth by some anti-drug zealots, every opiate abuser I've ever met was not interested in perpetual use. They were all seeking a viable way to get clean from the destructive cycle of use. However, each person has their own time lag to quit. For some, that can come quickly, while for others it may take several months or even a couple years.

But make no mistake; every user will eventually stop, because perpetual use of opiates is almost impossible physically. Therefore, while patiently working with those abusers trying to quit, we benefit as a community if we reduce the peripheral damage. Most commonly that is disease unwittingly passed by dirty needles and the un-needed fatal overdoses that are assured with impure and adulterated street product.

It's possible to overcome a drug addiction. It's of course impossible to overcome a case of HIV, or a case of hepatitis C that can be generated by use of dirty syringes.

Have mercy on the abuser. He was once clean like you and he can be that way again, provided he lives long enough.

» Stephen Heath, Clearwater, Florida

Addiction a choice

Letter writer Tyson Campbell ought to learn a thing or two about "free" heroin himself before he criticizes others. From a purely economic point of view, what a person reaches into their pockets to pay for is revealing of their desires. Do so-called addicts want treatment or do they want drugs?

Next, not everybody believes in addiction. The theory has never been proven. Addiction boils down to demonic possession by chemicals. Some of us believe in free will. All behaviours are chosen.

The harm that comes from giving free heroin out to so-called addicts is that the desires of the addict will thereafter be skewed. The research will be skewed.

Finally, the best help for so-called addicts has always been self-help through brotherhood type programs, and they are free.

» Chris Buors, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Darts demanding

Finally, darts is getting some respect in the media ["Bulls and beers," April 28]. Darts has always been shunned as a drunken bar sport - and at times, it is - but not very many people realize that you actually have to have skill to be good, and that there are people who take it seriously. Just because dart players aren't in the same shape as track-and-field athletes or whatever, it doesn't mean that their bodies aren't adapted to the sport. And yes, it is a sport.

» Louise d'Entremont

Linguistics not sexy

Regarding Sasha's April 14 column ["Bachelor, slut, runaround"]: What a terrible article that was! I suggest that if Sasha is interested in expanding on the fine points of linguistic mechanics, she should do so in much stuffier academic venues. But she's writing a sex-advice column, and, as such, I believe she has an unspoken obligation to get to issues pertaining to matters of sex and sexuality.

I understand that Sasha was obligated to answer the question that she chose to address. In that case, I would strongly suggest picking more fruitful letters to respond to.

» Nick Rudnicki

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!

Send your comments, compliments or criticisms to:

Letters to the Editor,
c/o Montreal Mirror,
465 McGill, 3rd Floor
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 4B4

You may also fax us at (514) 393-3173, or reach us by e-mail:

Letters to the Editor

All letters should include your name, address and daytime phone number.

If you wish to reach someone in particular, here's a list of people involved with the production of the newspaper and this site.