Pubdate: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Greg Carr Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1088/a06.html?248977 INJECTION SITES DON"T PREVENT DRUG USE I am writing this in response to your column supporting Insite (Time running out for injection site, Progress, Aug. 15). Not one person has quit heroin despite the fact the proponents of the site said that was one of the main goals of setting it up in the first place. The alleys nearest the clinic have heroin users injecting and crackheads smoking and dealers most times of the day and used needles are commonly found in the area. The junkies are so ashamed of themselves and their behaviour not one would allow you to use their name for publication. The money spent on the site would be better spent on a traditional heroin detox centre or being used to keep the Carnegie Centre and Gathering Place open longer. Both facilities are heavily used by the seniors and poor of the Downtown South-Downtown Eastside area. I fully support mandatory minimum sentences for heroin possession and dealing as well as cocaine and meth dealing and possession. Since the injection site lobby has gained credence with politicians there has been lobbying for a safe injection site for meth users. By closing the existing site a message will be sent that safe injection sites for meth users is a no go for the federal government and hopefully the provincial government will lose any interest in it. A heroin injection site along with a meth injection site might come to Chilliwack one day if the one in the Downtown Eastside is not shut down. GREG CARR Vancouver, BC - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath