Pubdate: Mon, 27 Sep 2004
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Stuart Hunter, The Province
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

POLICE UNION CALLS MAYOR'S PROPOSED CRACK COCAINE DEN 'BEYOND RIDICULOUS'

Mayor Larry Campbell and the Vancouver Police Union are at loggerheads over 
his plan to expand the city's safe injection-site to include crack cocaine 
addicts.

"I don't know why they would be upset about that and fully supportive of 
supervised injection sites," Campbell said. "We are taking the people off 
the street that they have to deal with as a nuisance and we are trying to 
get them help, so it's no different."

Union president Tom Stamatakis said although there were an average of 600 
injections a day at the safe site in its first year, and 107 overdoses 
prevented, police see little evidence that the number of people shooting up 
in back alleys is going down.

"It's beyond ridiculous to now contemplate setting up a den for crack 
cocaine smokers when you consider that it is one of the most addictive and 
devastating drugs available today, whose profiteers are organized 
criminals," said Stamatakis. "If this proposal goes ahead, it will simply 
enable addicts to continue using harmful drugs and not escape the vicious 
cycle of drug abuse and crime.

"The harm-reduction model was supposed to result in fewer substance abuse 
deaths, a reduction in costs to the economy, better prevention initiatives 
and the promotion of rehabilitation options but these things have just not 
happened.

"Why would (Campbell) think that setting up safe cocaine smoking dens would 
work any better?"

Proponents of the crack smoking room argue it would provide access to safe 
pipes and mouthpieces which would reduce transmission of diseases like 
hepatitis and HIV.

The safe-injection site at Hastings and Main has had a new ventilation 
system installed in preparation for use by crack addicts. The crack room 
needs approval from Health Canada.

Campbell vowed to pursue the expansion. ". . . if we get the legal go-ahead 
then we'll do it."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager