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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom