Pubdate: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: David Carrigg Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) NO MORE MONEY FOR INJECTION SITE COPS Money for two beat cops assigned to the city's supervised injection site has run out. Insp. John McKay, commander of the Citywide Enforcement Team, has not heard whether any more money will be available to pay for two police officers focused specifically on the site. If McKay doesn't get word by the end of this month, the officers will be pulled. "As far as I know it's over at the end of the month. The officers directed people found injecting on the street to the SIS [supervised injection site], and if the SIS had a problem they were able to contact those two beat officers immediately," McKay said. "Because of the sensitivity of the SIS we weren't standing outside providing security, but they covered situations where the site needed help because somebody was getting out of control. We can use as many resources as possible down here, so it's a shame." The money for the officers came from a one-time $1.2 million grant from the Vancouver Agreement's integrated health and safety strategy. The Vancouver Agreement was signed by the federal, provincial and municipal governments in 2000 as a way of coordinating money needed to revitalize the Downtown Eastside. Isobel Donovan, spokeswoman for the Vancouver Agreement, said the money covered the costs of the beat officers, helped pay for the enhanced enforcement project targeting illegal businesses and educated injection site peer counsellors and police about the injection site. "The proposal was for one year and the money was forwarded. There are no further funds coming, but it's been very successful," Donovan said. The expiry of the one-year pilot project comes as the supervised-injection site, operated by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and PHS Community Services Society, prepares to extend its opening hours from 18 to 24 hours a day during the time of the month when welfare cheques are distributed to users. According to research statistics released last week by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the injection site averages 588 user visits per 18-hour day. Daily visits counted in the stats are often from the same addict. Addicts use one of 12 injection booths. Once the user is high, they are placed in a "chill-out" room, where they are offered counselling and, if requested, addiction services support. Based on the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS statistics, a user walks through the site's doors about once every two minutes. McKay said his officers have not been counting the number of users walking into the facility. "We never stood and counted what the numbers were because it really wasn't our business and we didn't want to drive people away," McKay said. "But once every two minutes does seem like a lot of people. Our people haven't seen what would appear to be that level of traffic. We certainly never saw a lineup out the door." Clay Adams, health authority spokesman, said the authority stands by its figures, adding there are times when several people will enter the site at once. The supervised injection site, on the 100-block of East Hastings Street, costs $2 million a year to operate. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek