Pubdate: Sat, 01 Oct 2011 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2011 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Bradley Bouzane, Postmedia News VANCOUVER INJECTION SITE CAN STAY OPEN OTTAWA -- Vancouver's controversial supervised-injection site should stay open indefinitely, the country's top court ruled Friday, calling the federal government's move to shut it down a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision was a defeat for the Conservative government, which has said it favours prevention rather than "harm-reduction" programs. Insite, which opened in 2003, provides a haven for addicts to inject drugs using sterile needles under a nurse's supervision. The ruling could pave the way for similar facilities around the country. Dean Wilson, who has fought drug addiction for more than 40 years and who has used the Insite facility himself, said the decision was a fitting result after the long battle first to get, and then to keep, the facility in Vancouver's drugravaged Downtown Eastside. "It's a validation of all the stuff we worked (for)," Wilson said in the foyer of the Supreme Court minutes after the decision came down. "It's a miracle. "We already won, no matter what the results were, because statistically, eight or nine people a year would have died through the overdoses we've prevented (at Insite). Over eight years, that's 72 lives and that's a win. We won the day we opened that door." Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the federal government is "disappointed" with the decision. "The preference of this government in dealing with drug crime is obviously to prosecute those who sell drugs and create drug addiction in our population and in our youth," Harper told reporters in Quebec City. He added that "when it comes to treating drug addiction to try and do so though programs of prevention and treatment rather than through the issues that were in front of this court in terms of socalled harm reduction." When asked what the court ruling could mean for other jurisdictions that are considering opening supervised injection sites, Harper said it was "premature to speculate on consequences" of the decision. "I'm not advocating them being popped up in any old (place) ... but I don't think ideology should prevent it." Haggie said with research indicating that lives are being saved as a result of Insite's operation, he stressed that other supervised injection sites could be justified elsewhere. "We haven't seen (a national strategy) that works," Haggie said. "(Insite) has made a difference. People are no longer dying in (Vancouver's) Downtown Eastside. "The problem in downtown Vancouver was that it was a public health epidemic. There were 300 people, at least, dying each year from overdoses. I think in those jurisdictions that have similar problems -- and I'm thinking perhaps in Montreal or maybe in Toronto -- there may be a really good case to put a centre like that there, too." Shortly after the decision was released Friday morning, Davies said she felt "an incredible sense of relief and victory." "It's always been about saving people's lives," she said. "It's always been about a very important medical intervention to help people and the relentless opposition from the Conservative government has been just an incredible thing to take on." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.