Pubdate: Sat, 30 Sep 2006
Source: Cowichan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Cowichan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Peter Rusland

SAFE INJECTION SITES SUPPORTED BY MLA

Safe injection sites for Cowichan's drug addicts could be a good idea 
if partnered with additions counseling, MLA Doug Routley says.

"I support injection sites as long as they're supported by 
(addiction) services.

Addicts who injection sites people come in contact with are more 
likely to access services, he said.

Routley's comments follow Wednesday's News Leader feature showing 
crime, drug use and needle waste plaguing Duncan's Government 
/Cairnsmore street area.

Safe syringe supply, use and disposal aside, Routley sees 
injection-site outreach as a proactive way to help closet addicts too.

"It's better to give them (addiction) services now before they 
crash," he says urging long-term provincial planning to help fix the 
tragic effects of heroin, cocaine and other injected dope.

"Our community is coping as best it can but we need leadership from Victoria."

An addictions counselor was unavailable for comment by press time Friday.

Duncan Mayor Phil Kent agrees there's a hard-drug problem locally but 
he wants more information about attacking the menace before taking a 
stand on an injection site.

"I don't know enough about it. We need to explore solutions to all 
these issues more aggressively," he said, noting a Cowichan needle 
facility would need federal approval.

"Does Duncan have the resources to do it when it's a national issue? 
I'm not sure where we'd fit it in with our other responsibilities and 
the resources we have but we're definitely feeling the effects and 
the Bruce's (Grocery) area is only one place affected."

"I think there's differing views on if (sites) are a benefit or not," 
Kent said of Vancouver's busy injection facility, but "We don't even 
know if the one on the Lower Mainland will survive."

Funding to fight drug abuse is another thorny issue, he said, while 
Canada's drug laws could be fine-tuned to combat the scourge after more study.

"I don't know if we've looked at enough other (addiction help) models 
to address our problems through regulation.

"Pretty crime is a result of people feeding drug addictions but safe 
injection doesn't deal with that side of it."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine