Pubdate: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2012 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Megan Ogilvie Referenced: Report of the Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment Study, 2012: http://www.toscastudy.ca/TOSCA_Report_files/TOSCA%20report-web.pdf THREE DRUG INJECTION SITES RECOMMENDED FOR TORONTO, TWO IN OTTAWA The long-awaited report concluding that Toronto could benefit from three supervised injection facilities is being called the most comprehensive of its kind ever done, however some key players remain unconvinced the city should host the controversial clinics. The researchers found Toronto police are firmly opposed to the facilities that allow addicts to use illicit drugs, such as heroin, in a clean environment under the supervision of trained staff. And provincial and municipal leaders continue to call for more study on whether such sites are needed, suggesting further experts need to be consulted before any decisions are made. Evidence presented in the report shows that opening three supervised injection facilities in Toronto would reduce public drug use and prevent new HIV and hepatitis C infections. The researchers also said their findings suggest the facility would be a good health-care investment. "Supervised injection facilities in Toronto have the potential to offer meaningful improvements for the health of people who use drugs," said the study's co-principal investigator, Dr. Ahmed Bayoumi from the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael's Hospital. "The facilities could also make neighbourhoods where drug use is common more livable." The study, called the Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment (TOSCA), did not propose specific locations for the three Toronto sites or for two sites recommended for Ottawa. The researchers said it would be up to both cities to figure out how best to proceed with the recommendations, if at all. Launched four years ago, the study stems from a recommendation in the Toronto Drug Strategy, which was approved by Toronto council in December 2005. Hours after the report was released Wednesday, Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said he wants council to see all the "facts and figures" behind the study before Toronto decides whether to welcome a safe-injection site. "I have some doubts as to whether or not there is real benefit and whether or not you don't just attract more problems so I would like to really get the thorough results of other places that have done this and I'd like to hear from other experts on the matter," he said. Councillor John Filion, chair of the city's board of health, said the board will consider the report's recommendations. He also said "there has not been enough research done on the topic in Toronto - whether that is the way to go with Toronto." Others at City Hall did not voice concern over the report. Councillor Gord Perks, chair of the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Task Force, said there is ample evidence of the benefits of supervised injection sites. "We have today in front of us research that shows there are lives to be saved, money to be saved and neighbourhoods to be improved," said Perks (Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park). "When you have differing views you go to the evidence and the evidence is clear - supervised injection sites save money, save lives and improve the quality of our neighbourhoods." In the past, Mayor Rob Ford has said he does not support the sites as a form of drug treatment. Late Wednesday, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair told reporters that he is not in favour of supervised injection sites - something he also made clear to the researchers spearheading TOSCA. "My concern is there needs to be sufficient assurances within the community that the quality of life will not be put in jeopardy," Blair said. "They have been doing it in Vancouver for some years and there have been issues that have arisen there. I don't know of any place in Toronto where that couldn't have a significant negative impact on the communities." The province has remained non-committal on the sites. "We are always prepared to listen to good advice, and we make our decisions based on evidence," Health Minister Deb Mathews said in a written statement Wednesday. "Experts continue to be divided on the value of the sites. We have no plans to pursue supervised sites at this time." Premier Dalton McGuinty told reporters he will let experts decide whether safe injection sites are a good idea in Ontario. "When it comes to these kinds of things we rely on the advice that we get like the chief medical officer of health and if the police have advice they wish to offer in this regard, we'll pay attention to that too," McGuinty said. "I have the responsibility, at all times, to be open to the best advice." Should Toronto decide to go forward with supervised injection facilities, the federal government would have to grant each site exemption from federal drug laws. - -- With files from Tanya Talaga, David Rider and Curtis Rush - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom