Pubdate: Wed, 30 May 2007
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n657/a10.html
Author: Kevin Barlow

'INSITE IS SAVING LIVES'

Almost two-thirds of the new HIV infections in the aboriginal
population is a result of injecting drug use. If one person, unaware
of their HIV status, shares a needle with three or four people, the
epidemic grows that rapidly.

It is absurd to argue that people would begin using drugs just because
a safe injection site is available. And the federal government fails
to understand that some people simply cannot quit their addiction.
Locking them up is not the answer. Wake up; harm reduction does work.

Kevin Barlow, executive director, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network,
Ottawa. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake