Quote:
Originally Posted by PepsiFree
"Numerous" people on record are not as reliable as purposely collected data. What's "numerous"? 2? 5? 10? How does that compare to hundreds of data points? Recognizing that subjective stories from people should be taken in the context of the bigger picture, and not as gospel, is neither dismissive or obtuse. It's being honest. People can tell all the stories they want of their experience, but it doesn't make them more valuable than anything else. Their value is measured appropriately. If the positive value of the SIS outweighs the negative value to the surrounding community, it's a win. But that's a tough measure because people have personal stakes in the game. Do I think one person's life being saved is worth your friend seeing a naked person? You better believe I do.
The SIS serve a valuable, positive purpose and will play a role in a long term solution. I think everyone would rather these sites be closed down in the long term because we've successfully moved these people off the streets and away from addiction. Who do you think you're arguing with on that?
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My contention all along is that people like peter12 who blindly attack anyone who has a concern with the effect on the community as being a NIMBY are doing a huge disservice to the entire issue and creates unnecessary division towards the communities that merely want to see things run smoothly and safely. It's not simply an argument of the data says everything is peachy, which is most surely not the case at all.
We can all agree that with drugs come huge consequences and that is no different with a user on the street or in a SIS. I'm against the notion that this is a sustainable, successful method of dealing with the problem without further investment and support at a variety of levels. Nevertheless, calling this program a success is highly problematic no matter what way you look at it until everyone of these sites is no longer needed. As it stands now, I just don't see a pathway to ending the cycle of use and repeat for many of the patients.