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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 29 ,2 01 8 | 8 Waterloo Chronicle 630 Riverbend Dr. Kitchener, ON N2B 2G1 Phone: 519-886-2830 Fax: 519-579-2029 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000 CONTACT US Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira nparreira@metroland.com Regional Advertising Director Bill Ford bford@metroland.com Sales Lead Michelle Stevens ext. 795062 Advertising Representatives Cassandra Dellow ext. 795066 Zach Peters ext. 795068 Jan Bodanka ext. 795072 Editor Bob Vrbanac Reporters Adam Jackson Bill Jackson Namish Modi WHO WE ARE The Waterloo Chronicle, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 100 community publications across Ontario. The Waterloo Chronicle is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editorial@waterloochronicle.ca waterloochronicle @wlchronicle ABOUT US ® Chronicle.WATERLOO $1.00 CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA OPINION How much is a life worth, and how much should we spend to save someone, were the main questions that came out of a public meeting on safe injection sites held last week in regional council chambers. Safe injection sites allow intravenous drug users to safely shoot up in a supervised environment and can provide immediate emergency medical interven- tion in the case of overdose. It also allows workers staffing the clinic to build relationships and suggest support services if people are looking for alternatives. This paper reported on one of those safe injection sites last week operated in Toronto right off Dundas Square and it looked like any regular medical clinic with medical supplies neatly organized, individual booths and neat waiting areas. The only major differ- ences is that the booths had mirrors in them so med- ical staff could monitor people injecting themselves for signs of overdose. There was also a holding room to make sure that they weren't on a bad trip before they were let back on the street. It should have dispelled concerns of those who thought it would be an area overrun with crime, that was dirty and dangerous for the public with discard- ed needles and other things attributed to drug use. But there was still those who came out to the pub- lic meeting worried about the message safe injection clinics would send in Waterloo Region. Would it condone the practice? And is it even nec- essary since the recent rash of opioid deaths, with more than 70 last year, couldn't all be attributed to intravenous drug use. People were also being killed by other drugs being spiked by fentanyl. There was the unfortunate case of a local 14-year-old who died after he took a Xanax pill that was laced with the opioid that has contributed to most of those local deaths. But proponents of the plan said that it helps save those people who still use needles as the main way they administer their drug of choice, and that it is an important step in the harm reduction strategy need- ed to stem the tide of this latest drug epidemic. Drug users need to be supported not further stig- matized. It would also eliminate the discarded syringes in areas hit hard by this drug scourge, and improve public safety. Some opponents were concerned that it would be a slippery slope to creating because similar areas have been taken over by the drug culture, like the east side of downtown Vancouver. But supporters said it was a safe and clinical space that meets drug users where they are instead of scaring them off into alley- way or washrooms and contributing to that social decay. Action needs to be taken, and this is an important first step. While not using these drugs would be the ideal, we can't dither as more people die. How much is a life worth? It seems such an oddity now, but in the sixties we used to all hop in the car and go for drives with or without destination. Sometimes we'd end up at the ice cream shop, or visit- ing family, but often we would ask our parents to drive to Bridgeport with the hope of seeing the General. Frank Groff, otherwise known as the Bridgeport General, is the subject of a new movie, Care For The Child: The Story of the Bridgeport General. The narrative of the mov- ie paints the picture of a grumpy yet kind man who wore the same safety- pinned coat every day in ev- ery season, refused to let people into his home, spoke infrequently and lived alone. And his neighbours found these characteristics enchanting. Although in the Gener- al's time some people did de- ride him, he was mostly viewed as a beloved eccen- tric who loved and cared for the children in his commu- nity. Carrying a homemade "stop" sign, he became a self- appointed crossing guard at a particularly dangerous in- tersection in his neighbour- hood. Kids loved him, would hug him and take his hand. The safety of children was paramount for him. When the City of Kitchener at- tempted to make him an offi- cial crossing guard, he would have none of it refus- ing to wear fluorescent clothing, refusing to con- form. Frank Groff was revered for his differences; he was celebrated, a legend in his own time. And now years af- ter his passing, he is fondly remembered. This same warm senti- ment toward someone who is different is not always ex- tended to the characters liv- ing on our downtown streets today full of people who, similar to the Bridgeport General eschew rules and live by their own codes. This population often re- fuse to be in league with a so- ciety that rejects differenc- es; a society that often is blind to the pain behind someone's behaviour. The only reason that this gruff soul was and is cele- brated is because of relation- ship. Frank Groff was part of a community. Relationship is the bridge to understand- ing and acceptance. For information about his story visit the website bridgeportgeneral.com. - Leslie Morgenson is a local writer. She can be reached by email at leslie- morgenson@gmail.com. Relationship is the bridge to understanding Society is often blind to the pain behind someone's behaviour, says Leslie Morgenson LESLIE MORGENSON Column • EDITORIAL •