Pubdate: Fri, 27 Dec 2013 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Eve Adams Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n616/a09.html RESIDENTS DON'T WANT SAFE INJECTION SITES Re: A misguided attack on safe injection sites, Wayne Easter, Dec. 23. Drug injection sites provide space for addicts to use their illegal drugs, but do not provide these drugs. Addicts continue to buy their drugs from drug dealers, creating a localized market for criminals. Our Conservative government has put forward the Respect for Communities Act to ensure that the Minister of Health has the information needed to properly evaluate the creation of any proposed site. Indeed, the Supreme Court ruled that amongst other factors, the Minister must consider community opinions. I'm curious as to what information Wayne Easter finds too "onerous." Does he object to consulting with local police and medical experts, or municipal governments and local residents? As MPs we have a duty to listen to residents in our communities. I find it appalling that Mr. Easter would be comfortable with a drug injection site opening in Malpeque with no opportunity for his constituents to make their views known. His objection to community consultations suggests that this has more to do with his own ideology than any concern for local residents. Canadian families deserve a say before drug injection sites open in their communities, and our government will ensure that this happens. Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary To The Minister Of Health, Ottawa. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom