Pubdate: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Canoe Inc Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Dharm Makwana, 24 Hours Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) HARPER SKIRTS DRUG ISSUE The federal government's attitude towards harm-reduction programs for drug users revolves around partisan politics rather than evidence-based results, according to a quartet of critics gathered at SFU Harbourfront yesterday. Former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen told an audience, together for a forum on Canada's drug policy, supervised injection programs such as Insite shouldn't be judged from arm's length in Ottawa. "The issue is on the streets with the human destruction and the human decay," he said. Owen slammed Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Health Minister Tony Clement for extending Insite's operating permit by six months, describing he move as "political gymnastics" to skirt a decision on the program in case of a snap federal election. Around 25 peer-reviewed published studies on Insite show the program reduces health risks for drug users. Other speakers at the event, hosted by NDP MP Libby Davies and Portland Hotel Society, echoed Owen's sentiments. Former B.C. provincial court judge Jerry Paradis, who's ruled on more than 1,000 drug cases, said stricter penalties for drug offenses is another step towards prohibition, proven to be ineffective against addiction. Shelly Tomic, a former drug addict and Insite patient turned activist, said further study into the program's merit is wasting resources. "The outcome is: I'm alive right now," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom