Pubdate: Tue, 02 Oct 2007
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2007, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Jane McCall

HARM INDEED REDUCED

Delta, B.C. -- Re Get-Tough Plan On Drugs Doomed, Experts Say (Oct. 
1): In Canada, over the past 10 years, the rate of HIV infections 
attributable to injection drug use has steadily declined, from a high 
of almost 30 per cent to 10.3 per cent.

In the face of continuing unabated illicit drug use, there is only 
one explanation for this. The spread of needle exchanges across the 
country has allowed drug users to inject safely, without the fear of 
contracting HIV or hepatitis C.

These statistics are readily available on the Health Canada website. 
Apparently the federal government, in its rush to formulate policy 
based on ideology instead of fact, has chosen to ignore its own 
government department.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman