Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Allen Batchelar

INJECTION SITES MORE APPEALING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S BACKYARD

Objectively, the question asked in The Sun-Ipsos-Reid survey was very, very 
soft (Injection sites supported, but with treatment, Dec. 28). How many 
people supported the question "Would you generally support or oppose the 
establishment of a safe injection site in your municipality?", all the 
while assuming it would not affect them. Of course, a site would be off in 
some remote corner of their municipality.

More definitive questioning would include "Would you support a safe 
injection site in your neighbourhood?" and then "Would you support a safe 
injection site on your street?" and maybe even "Would you support a safe 
injection site next door?" Such questions would determine how strong 
support truly is for these sites.

I suspect that people feel more should be done to counter heroin addiction 
than the present strategy provides for, thus, the response to your poll. 
But they would be less supportive as safe injection sites came closer to 
their backyard.

I think that such a poll should be conducted across the Lower Mainland to 
determine where the support lies. Larry Campbell was elected mayor of 
Vancouver, not the Lower Mainland. Injection sites weren't even an election 
issue outside the confines of Vancouver; however, if support for safe 
injection sites is evident across the Lower Mainland, all politicians in 
the region should be made aware of it and deal with it.

Allen Batchelar

Surrey
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom