Pubdate: Tue, 04 Feb 2003
Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web)
Copyright: 2003 CBC
Contact:  http://www.cbc.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1412
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)
Note: AUDIO LINK: 
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/clips/Vancouver/ram-audio/bc_drugs_030204.ram 
INTERVIEW: The Early Edition's Cecilia Walters speaks with Mark Townsend. 
(Runs 4:14) LINK: Portland Hotel Society http://www.vandu.org/swiss/sld001.htm

FIRST SAFE INJECTION SITE BUILT

VANCOUVER - Vancouver health officials say the city's first completed safe 
injection site needs more study before they'll give it the green light to 
operate.

The Portland Hotel Society has built a site in the 100-block East Hastings 
that could handle 12 intravenous drug users at a time.

The Society's Mark Townsend says they built the centre, in hopes that a 
safe injection site will be open as early as April.

"We really really hope it won't be delayed past April. Every week we wait, 
one more person dies of an overdose in B.C., and numerous people contract HIV."

Townsend describes the location as having stainless steel tables with 
mirrors and water, as well as a waiting room and reception area.

He estimates it would cost about $400,000 a year to operate the site.

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority spokesperson Clay Adams says the site 
may require more work. "From what we're aware, it doesn't meet our overall 
criteria," he says. "We're wanting to include a treatment component."

He says the health authority is considering at least two other sites before 
it makes an official proposal to the federal government.

Adams says that proposal will come by the end of the month.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom