Pubdate: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Meaghan Thumath, RN, Beverley Lightfoot, RN and Sargent Hayden, RN INSITE IS ETHICAL, NURSES MAINTAIN As registered nurses working at Vancouver's supervised injection facility, InSite, we sympathize with our colleague and her sentiment that people who use drugs need our utmost compassion ("Insite ethics," Aug. 28). It is precisely for this reason that registered nurses reject federal Health Minister Tony Clement's criticisms of InSite. We have a professional obligation to promote the health and well-being of all Canadians, including those who use injection drugs. Harm reduction is consistent with the Canadian Nurses Association code of ethics for safe, compassionate and competent care and the promotion of health, well-being, dignity and justice. In addition, harm reduction is aligned with the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. standards for nursing practice, WHO guidelines and the B.C. Supreme Court ruling that access to InSite constitutes a charter right to life, liberty and security of the person. Nurses have a duty to provide users with health care and education so that potential harms associated with intravenous injections are minimized and that opportunities to engage clients are optimized. Research has proven that InSite increases referrals to detox, slows the spread of diseases and decreases overdose deaths. InSite helps drug users stabilize their lives so that they may be empowered to make healthier choices over time. As registered nurses, we believe it is our ethical imperative to work to reduce human suffering and preserve dignity and access to health care for society's most marginalized citizens. Meaghan Thumath, RN Beverley Lightfoot, RN Sargent Hayden, RN Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart