Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2016 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2016 The Calgary Sun Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67 Author: Reid Southwick Page: 12 CALGARY NOT LIKELY AS SAFE INJECTION SITE Support for supervised injection sites appears to be growing in big Canadian cities, but don't expect one in Calgary any time soon. Advocates for programs that reduce the harms of drug abuse say Edmonton will likely become the first Alberta city with a supervised site for injecting drugs, following a study that identified demand there. "The fact that there hasn't been a lot of movement in Calgary is largely because of political will, and NIMBY, and the ongoing misconception that addiction is a choice, rather than a chronic disease," said Leslie Hill, executive director of HIV Community Link. Proponents say safe injection sites prevent overdoses and the spread of blood-born diseases by providing users with a safe, clean space to inject their drugs under supervision. There are two of these sites in Canada, both in Vancouver, though Montreal is seeking approval of four locations while three health agencies in Toronto are planning small-scale operations. Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said her government is reviewing evidence in favour of supervised injection services, though she doesn't expect to be making decisions in the short term. "We will be looking at the evidence and working with our community partners to figure out, if we are going to move forward, where the best places might be for supervised consumption," Hoffman said. Any proposed site would ultimately have to be secure final approval from Ottawa. Calgary has been grappling with a massive fentanyl crisis, with 81 fatal overdoses in the city last year. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt