Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2011
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Insite

INSITE WIN A TRIUMPH AND RELIEF

Last Friday's decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to keep 
Vancouver's safe injection site open is a triumph for common sense.

Study after study has concluded that Insite saves lives. Local 
politicians from across the political spectrum have concluded that 
Insite saves lives. This week, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin 
concluded that "Insite saves lives."

Surely, preventing citizens from dying is the hallmark of good public 
policy, yet our Conservative federal government has spent years-and 
an unconscionable amount of your money-fighting to shut Insite down. 
It's absurd that this question was even put before the highest court 
in the land, demonstrated by its unanimous, bluntly worded ruling.

It is a tremendous relief to see that in at least one branch of our 
government, evidence still trumps ideology, that policies are founded 
on fact rather than wishful thinking.

Heroin addicts aren't the most sympathetic figures in our society and 
assisting them in their addiction does seem counter-intuitive.

But providing them with clean equipment and a safe, supervised space 
buys them some time to get help, especially when that help is ready 
and waiting in the same room.

Throwing addicts back onto our streets with dirty needles would not 
only be a serious public health hazard, it would be morally outrageous.

This battle is not over. We need more facilities like Insite and each 
one will likely face fierce opposition.

We urge our federal politicians to respect science and support these 
programs-or at least get out of the way.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom