Pubdate: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: Mike Howell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) SAFE INJECTION SITES NOT FOR EDMONTON Injection drug use is a problem in Edmonton, but the city is not prepared to open a supervised injection site like Vancouver, says a visiting Edmonton police officer. Supt. Thomas Grue, who is in Vancouver this week as part of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police conference, said Vancouver's unprecedented implementation of an injection site has inspired Edmonton community groups to pressure police and politicians for a site in the city. "Different parts of the community support a safe injection site, but I would suggest to you that the predominant feeling in the community is that they're against it because it doesn't attend to their concerns about the crime that results from drug addiction," said Grue, the Edmonton Police Service's commander of that city's downtown core. Grue said police are focused on cleaning up Edmonton's crystal methamphetamine problem, which has eclipsed cocaine and heroin use. "By some accounts, it's an epidemic. We have a lot of kids who have basically ruined their lives on meth, they've become addicted and have taken to turning to crime to fund their habit. It's no different than heroin, in many respects, but it's just a different drug." Next month, Vancouver's Insite injection site on East Hastings will celebrate its first anniversary serving injection drug users, who buy illegal heroin and cocaine on the street and then legally inject it at the site. It's the only injection site in North America and was opened despite opposition from various business groups, the RCMP and some Vancouver police officers. Many local police still won't talk about the site on the record, and neither will many visiting police chiefs, including Cape Breton Regional Police Service Chief Edgar MacLeod, who is president of the national chiefs' association. "That's a decision that was made out here in this community based on what they think is relevant to their situation," MacLeod told the Courier Monday from the Trade and Convention Centre. "Hopefully, that will work for this community." MacLeod said Cape Breton has a growing problem with prescription drug abuse. A resolution to be considered by police chiefs this week asks the federal government and the pharmaceutical industry to "prevent the further diversion of prescription drugs to the illicit drug trade." In an accompanying fact sheet to the resolution, prepared by the chiefs' drug abuse committee, it notes eight of 20 sudden deaths in Cape Breton are linked to oxycodone (brand name Oxycontin) abuse. The drug of choice at Vancouver's injection site is 40 per cent cocaine, 40 per cent heroin, with morphine, prescription drugs and crystal methamphetamine comprise the remaining 20 per cent. Seventy-four per cent of clients are male, and 26 per cent female, according to statistics from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, whose website no longer indicates number of daily visits. A short message on its website says it "continues to serve a steady stream of clients," and notes statistics related to use will be presented shortly with the release of data by a research team. Chiefs attending this week's conference will also consider several resolutions related to marijuana growing operations, including urging the federal minister of health, in conjunction with police, to conduct a scientific study on health hazards found at grow-op sites. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager