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.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager