Pubdate: Wed, 24 Sep 2003
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: Shereen de Rousseau
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1421/a02.html

INJECTION STORY 'PURE SENSATIONALISM'

To the editor:

Your recent article on the safe injection site ticked me off
("'Insite' opening an international media event," Sept. 17).

You made it sound like this could be a big threat to our tourism
industry. Quoting two seniors from Ohio was just pure
sensationalism.

I hardly think the Downtown Eastside is a big tourist draw. Also,
junkies shooting up in the streets is not really a better tourist
attraction. Had they put the site in Whistler or Stanley Park, maybe
we should be concerned.

We need to take care of our own people and stop worrying about what
foreigners think. I wish you'd included some info and stats on
countries that have safe injection sites and their successes or failures.

Most people I know would be more interested in that info than what a
couple of American tourists think.

Shereen de Rousseau

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin