Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jul 2006
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

DRUG-SITE DECISION WILL BE MILESTONE

A Daily News Editorial By Mel Rothenburger

A test of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's ability to expand beyond 
narrow partisan thinking to practical solutions on major social 
issues comes two months from now.

Harper's political bias is that the solution to criminal behaviour is 
enforcement. His mind does not naturally turn itself to the notion of 
harm reduction and management in the case of so fundamental a social 
challenge as drug addiction.

It is, therefore, tough slogging for those who believe in the value 
of safe injection sites to convince him the concept is not simply 
pandering to criminals and encouraging even more drug abuse. Harper 
is playing his cards close to his chest, saying he's awaiting the 
results of more studies before deciding whether to extend the 
exemption from narcotics laws of the Vancouver safe injection site.

The exemption, granted by the old Liberal government, expires Sept. 
12. Studies of the site during its first three years have been almost 
universal in their conclusions that it has reduced crime and 
violence, and saved lives. The East Hastings Street area where drug 
addiction has been rampant during the past several decades is safer 
and cleaner.

Realtors are reporting that buyers are actually considering the area 
when making home-purchase decisions, something that was unheard of 
previously as East Hastings deteriorated into a ghetto of addicts who 
commonly used back alleys and even sidewalks to shoot up.

This experiment is of particular interest to Kamloops, which has a 
significant addiction issue of our own, along with attendant 
challenges such as AIDS.

The Vancouver injection site, of course, is not perfect. It hasn't 
solved the drug addiction problem in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, 
but there's no doubt things are better than before it was opened.

Some people will never accept anything but legal punishment as the 
response to drug addiction, and the whole idea of a safe injection 
site is anathema to them. They believe we should keep on trying the 
things that have never worked.

Whether or not you accept the notion that drug addiction is a 
disease, there's no question it is a social plague that goes to the 
root of most of our crime and many of our health issues. Since 
punishing addicts has done little to curb addiction, we need new ways 
of getting at the problem.

If Harper panders to the constituency that believes punishment is the 
only acceptable tool, and refuses to renew the Vancouver exemption, 
he will terminate the small but important progress that has been made 
in addressing street-level drug addiction. In fact, he'll set it back 
many years.

And cities like Vancouver, and Kamloops, will be left to struggle 
with the problem using nothing but old and failed methods.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman