Pubdate: Tue, 06 Jan 2004 Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) Copyright: 2004 Canadian Medical Association Contact: http://www.cmaj.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/754 Author: Heather Kent Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Addiction Medicine FIRST INJECTION SITE ALMOST AT CAPACITY Vancouver -- Vancouver's much-anticipated safe injection site (SIS), the first in North America, was nearly at full capacity less than 3 months after opening Sept. 15. Site staff are supervising an average of 450 injections daily; full capacity is 600 visits (see CMAJ 2003; 169 [8}: 759-63). There are an estimated 4000 injection drug users in the city's Downtown Eastside. Mark Townsend of the Portland Hotel Society, which runs the SIS with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, says initial fears that patrolling police officers and security cameras would deter drug users have proved unfounded. He also attributes the high usage to the experienced staff, extensive street-level and word-of-mouth publicity prior to the opening. So far, 25 users have experienced adverse reactions on site and required assistance. At least 33 users have been referred to detoxification services. Nurses are also carrying out a lot of wound and other basic medical care. Townsend says he hopes that the SIS's 3-year research project will answer questions about the site's early success. Meanwhile, in the short term, he would like to see extended hours, a second location and more detoxification facilities. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman