Pubdate: Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Giuseppe Valiante
Page: A10

HEALTH WORKERS EXPECT INJECTION-SITE APPROVAL

Advocates of Quebec sites expect approval from Liberals

Quebec health care workers and politicians say they expect the new
federal government to approve their application for supervised,
illicit drug injection sites in Montreal, which will make the city the
second in Canada to host the controversial harm-reduction program.

But some are warning the strict law passed before the Conservatives
left office will mean potential injection site operators will have to
navigate a complicated legal maze aimed at preventing these sites from
opening.

The chairman of the health centre expected to house Montreal's first
legal injection site said he has "no doubt" the new Liberal health
minister will approve the application after months of what he calls
Conservative "stalling."

Louis Letellier de St-Just said if the project calling for three,
fixed safe injection locations and one mobile unit gets approved
quickly, it might be up and running by next fall.

"The project will certainly get the go-ahead from the (new) federal
health minister so we are thrilled," said Letellier de St-Just, whose
community health centre, Cactus Montreal, has been working with drug
users and sex workers for decades.

A City of Montreal spokeswoman said Mayor Denis Coderre was also
confident that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government
would approve the proposal.

Health Canada refused to comment on Montreal's application, but the
Liberals' election platform stated its support of supervised injection
sites, saying they "decrease the risk of death and disease for those
living with addiction and mental illness, reduce crime, and protect
public health and safety."

Currently, Vancouver is the only city in Canada where intravenous drug
users can inject themselves with illegal substances under supervision
of nurses and other health care staff.

Proponents of these facilities say the sites offer a clean and safe
location for drug users as opposed to the street, and where addicts
can be directed towards treatment programs.

Critics say the sites encourage drug use, attract drug users and say
governments shouldn't be subsidizing centres where people consume
illegal substances.

The previous Conservative government took the latter view, and its
efforts to close the Vancouver centre, called Insite, were stopped by
the Supreme Court of Canada in 2011.
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MAP posted-by: Matt