Pubdate: Fri, 22 Aug 2008
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Windsor Star
Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Matthew M. Elrod

OTTAWA NEVER FUNDED DRUG INJECTION SITE

I have some good news for columnist Claire Hoy, who argued that 
Ottawa should stop funding Vancouver's supervised injection site, 
which he called "Insight" (Junk "harm reduction," Aug. 18.) The 
federal government does not fund Insite, nor have they ever funded it.

The previous federal government funded a research project to study 
the outcomes of Insite. Researchers concluded that the clinic reduces 
public disorder, overdose deaths and the spread of infectious disease 
and encourages patrons to seek treatment, explaining why most local 
business owners and residents who were initially opposed to the 
facility now support it.

Subsequent analysis by a federally appointed Health Canada committee 
concurred that Insite neither encourages nor perpetuates drug use, 
and that every tax dollar the B.C. government invests in harm 
reduction saves several tax dollars downstream, in policing, 
emergency services, health care costs, etc.

If Claire Hoy is sincerely concerned about the expense and 
opportunity costs of harm reduction initiatives such as Insite, 
perhaps he should read up on the subject. The federal government 
could fund Insite for a year for what they waste on cannabis 
prohibition in a week.

MATTHEW M. ELROD

Victoria, B.C.
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