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.

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With files from Tanya Talaga, David Rider and Curtis Rush
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom