Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jun 2013
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Jessica Hume
Page: 24

FEDS INJECT TOUGH NEW RULES

OTTAWA - Anyone looking to open a facility where drug addicts can use
illegal substances in a safe environment will find themselves facing
tough new criteria after the government introduced its Respect for
Communities Act.

Under the new rules, "safe injection sites" will need to be approved
by members of the communities they propose to serve.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement Thursday, saying
"strong, local public involvement" needs to be part of the process.

"We believe that the application process needs to be changed to create
formal opportunities for local voices to be heard and their views
considered," the minister told reporters.

Among the new criteria are consultations with municipal and provincial
governments as well as law enforcement and community groups. A
facility must demonstrate its financial sustainability, and all staff
would undergo criminal background checks.

The issue of safe injection sites has been on the political landscape
since 2011, when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of InSite, the
first such facility in North America, located in Vancouver's east side.

Conservatives have long insisted the facilities foster drug use, while
the NDP believes they can reduce the health risks associated with
intravenous drug use.

Though research has shown the rate of drug overdoses significantly
decreased in Vancouver after the introduction of InSite in 2003, the
Canadian Police Association opposes these facilities, believing that
their "successes have been overemphasized and their consequences have
been under-reported."

CPA spokesman Michael Gendron told QMI Agency, "Drug consumption comes
with a host of other issues," but was less specific when asked what
some of those problems were.

"Other crimes are committed -- they still have to get the drugs. They
still have to engage in illegal activities," Gendron said.

The Canadian Medical Association is very concerned about the
legislation and said in a statement, "Supervised injection programs
are an important harm reduction strategy."

Last year researchers at St. Michael's University and the University
of Toronto recommended supervised injection sites for Toronto and Ottawa.

The mayors of both Toronto and Ottawa have expressed their opposition
to hosting these facilities.

NDP MP Libby Davies called the legislation politically driven and said
the new rules will make it almost impossible for any new injection
facilities to open.

"The courts have been clear that the Conservatives need to base their
decisions on evidence and public health, not their own rhetoric and
ideology," she said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt