Paragon Opposition Grows

Former Vancouver Health Officer Joins Casino Proposal Opposition
Submitted by Ria Patel

John Blatherwick, a former Chief Medical Health Officer who retired in 2007, has joined ranks with a coalition hoping to get the city council to reject a Las Vegas company's proposal to build a mega casino adjacent to BC Place Stadium.

Blatherwick posting a statement on the Vancouver website, yesterday, says a large casino downtown will only serve to create more gambling addicts.

He writes, easy availability of a product makes addiction a problem, and a large addiction centre next to the sports centres (BC Place and Rogers Arena) frequented mainly by young males, will ensure a fresh supply of new addicts for the casinos.

Only a month ago, Dr. John Carsley of Vancouver Coastal Health at a public hearing had also urged the council to reject Paragon's proposal, basing his recommendation on research reviewed as to whether expanding gambling creates more problem gamblers.

Retired Vancouver Police Department Sgt. Bob Cooper, who was a homicide investigator and member of the Asian Organized Crime Section has also joined the coalition against the proposal. He says gambling has effects on individuals and society in general, including murders, suicides, extortions and much more.