Pubdate: Wed, 01 Apr 2015 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 Vancouver 24 hrs. Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Ada Slivinski Page: 5 VCH LOOKS TO ADD SUPERVISED INJECTION SERVICES Vancouver Coastal Health is looking to increase supervised injection services across Vancouver. The health authority's Downtown Eastside Second Generation Health System Strategy identifies several areas for expansion, with the overall goal being, "the creation of more extensive and intentional harm reduction services," according to an introductory letter from Laura Case, chief operating officer for the Vancouver community at VCH. Though the document states changes will be made slowly and after study and consultation, the objective when it comes to addictions is clear: "We will work towards having harm reduction be a core competency across VCH-operated or contracted services." The document states, "VCH is interested in pursuing the development of supervised injection capacity in community health centres and other key service locations across the DTES and Vancouver." The document explains, "VCH supports housing and associated service options being created in other Vancouver neighbourhoods, and across the province, to enable choice and facilitate success for residents who wish to leave the DTES." The strategy also includes increasing hours at Insite, the supervised injection site on Hastings Street, specifically opening, "earlier in the day for this high demand period," and installing a TV in the facility to broadcast drug alerts and contamination information. Anna Marie D'Angelo, a media spokeswoman for VCH, said the plan is "all really high level," and said the public should have confidence in harm reduction because of the studies that support it, adding, "we are licensed professionals." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt