Pubdate: Thu, 25 Oct 2007
Source: Martlet (CN BC Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Martlet Publishing Society
Contact:  http://www.martlet.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3140
Author: Nathan Lowther
Cited: Centre for Addictions Research of BC http://www.carbc.ca
Cited: AIDS Vancouver Island http://www.avi.org
Cited: Vancouver Coastal Health Insite http://www.vch.ca/sis/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/InSite (InSite)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites)

WAR ON DRUGS WILL FAIL: EXPERTS

Government Opponents Call for Greater Focus on Harm Reduction Initiatives

Drug legislation in Canada is being shaped by political ideology 
instead of scientific information, say critics of recent federal drug 
policy announcements. And it's hurting some of society's most 
vulnerable members.

Critics are concerned that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is shifting 
towards a U.S.-style war on drugs.

"The message from the federal government right now is that 
enforcement is the key," said Andrea Langlois of AIDS Vancouver 
Island. "[Harper] is really focusing on get-tough measures that we 
know don't work."

She pointed to the rise of HIV and hepatitis C rates in the U.S. as 
evidence of the ineffectiveness of an enforcement-first strategy.

Harper and Health Minister Tony Clement announced $64 million in new 
funding across the country. But they also announced a shift away from 
harm reduction. Harm reduction is one of the elements of the 
four-pillars approach that has been much discussed in Vancouver. 
According to the Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC), the 
money will be split between the other three pillars, with treatment 
receiving $32 million, enforcement receiving $22 million and 
prevention receiving $10 million.

"This government is of the view that the National Anti-Drug Strategy 
constitutes an appropriately balanced approach through the delivery 
of a continuum of prevention, treatment and enforcement activities 
designed to significantly prevent harm," said Carole Saindon of 
Health Canada in an e-mail.

But Dr. Scott Macdonald, associate professor at UVic and assistant 
director of research for CARBC, warned that anything short of "super, 
super severe" penalties is unlikely to have much affect. Macdonald 
said he worries tougher drug penalties will instead lead to a rise in 
violence as dealers do more to avoid getting caught.

Macdonald also pointed out that the money invested, while looking 
impressive, doesn't go that far when one considers it will be divided 
between all provinces and territories. And he said he worries that 
the lack of funding toward harm reduction is short-sighted.

"They're spending a little more than [$500,000] a year on needle 
exchange programs," he said. "But when you think of the consequences 
of one person having HIV, that could easily cost [$500,000] in terms 
of lost wages, drain on resources and treatment costs."

Sharing needles is one of the leading causes of HIV transmission in 
Canada and AIDS Vancouver Island cites studies that show needle 
exchange programs can be expected to "prevent at least 24 HIV 
infections" over a five year span. Macdonald stressed that treatment 
and prevention are important, but said harm-reduction pays for itself 
in the long run.

And beyond money, harm-reduction has been proven to save lives.

Jeff West, an employee at Vancouver's Insite - North America's only 
safe consumption site for illicit drug users - said they have an 
average of 250 overdose incidents a year and have yet to have a 
death. Further, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), who is involved in 
the running of Insite, has results of studies published in 
prestigious medical journals posted on their website. One study 
published in the New England Journal of Medicine found, "Insite is 
leading to increased uptake into detoxification programs and 
addiction treatment." Another study from the American Journal of 
Preventive Medicine reported that it is the "highest-risk users" that 
come to Insite.

Still, Insite was unable to get a three-and-a-half year extension on 
their exception under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and 
Substances Act they applied for. They need the exception to allow 
illegal drugs like heroin and crack brought on site. But they were 
only granted half a year by Clement.

"This extension will allow research on how supervised injection sites 
affect prevention, treatment and crime to be continued for six more 
months," said the Health Canada press release. Both West and Langlois 
described this as an "ideological" decision, with West saying the 
government has ignored the scientific evidence already published.

There is also a benefit to the community at large. West and Langlois 
report they receive a 104 per cent return on syringes handed out. 
This means there are less dirty needles being discarded in bushes and parks.

But both stressed that the biggest need is policy that considers drug 
addicts as people.

"They're marginalized, living on the street, and see a lot of 
horrific shit," said West. "It doesn't help someone get out by 
berating them, but loving them, supporting them - they're human 
beings. People have empathy for kids who go through a lot of shit, 
but when they hit 19, forget it." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake