Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Kamloops This Week Contact: http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271 Author: Jim Harrison Note: Jim Harrison is news director for Radio 'NL. Note: From MAP: Relevant section of a longer column Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/InSite Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites) SCRAP SAFE INJECTION SITE The verdict is in on Vancouver's safe-injection drug site. It's regarded by its proponents as a resounding success. As the kids would say: "Duh!" What did they expect? Give drug addicts a safe haven, invite them in to shoot up and they'll take advantage of it. It may be cleaner. It may take some of the disturbing, visible drug use off the streets, but supporters ignore a few important elements. The heroin or cocaine these people are injecting are illegal drugs. Of course the survey results will indicate they have changed their injection habits for the better. They have a taxpayer-funded place in which to break the law. There's nothing in this experiment demonstrating it reduces drug use, or reforms addicts, or cuts down on illicit drug trafficking. If anything, it promotes use and keeps the pushers in business. We know it's the flavour of the month with a few Vancouver mayors who obviously have been drinking too many lattes, but the federal government would do well not to extend the exemption that allowed this experiment in the first place. These drugs are either illegal or they aren't. We can't be making taxpayer-funded exceptions for the worst users under the guise of greater control and less visibility. If that's the litmus test, we'll next be setting up shop where people can take crystal meth. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake