Pubdate: Tue, 24 May 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Megan Gillis
Page: 3

MAJORITY OK WITH INJECTION SITE

Opinion split down party lines

More than half of Ottawans polled support a supervised injection site
downtown for intravenous drug users with the young, affluent and well
educated most likely to be behind the plan.

The numbers are in line with results from Canada's biggest city, where
a drive is also underway to establish supervised injection sites aimed
at preventing overdoses and disease.

"There is clearly a sentiment in urban centres in favour of harm
reduction over sanctions and enforcement," Forum Research president
Lorne Bozinoff said. "Vancouver already has InSite, and Toronto and
Ottawa are both contemplating similar centres. "These results bode
well for a successful outcome."

In a random sampling of 890 Ottawa voters, 54 per cent approved plans
for a supervised injection site, 37% disapproved and 9% did not have
an opinion.

The Sandy Hill Community Health Centre wants to add a supervised
injection service to the needle exchange, counselling and health
programs it already offers about 700 injection drug users and plans to
apply for a drug-law exemption in the fall.

Current legislation that governs exemptions requires a letter of
support from the city and the police chief.

Mayor Jim Watson is opposed to plans for a supervised injection site,
calling for funding to be invested in drug treatment - although
proponents counter that supervised injection sites help keep addicts
alive long enough to get them into treatment.

Police Chief Charles Bordeleau, meanwhile, said he won't back such a
site until he's seen a plan to prevent crime in the area where it
would be set up.

The people in Ottawa most likely to support a supervised injection
site - with about two-thirds support - include young adults, people
who have used marijuana, those with post-graduate education and those
with incomes of $80,000 to $100,000.

Two-thirds of provincial Liberals and more than three-quarters of
provincial New Democrats support supervised injection sites.

Against are two-thirds of provincial Progressive Conservatives, more
than half of those with a high school education or less and nearly
half of the oldest adults.

Homeowners, people who have never smoked marijuana, and those with
incomes in the $20,000 to $40,000 range are also more likely to be
opposed.

The findings back what Catherine Hacksel of the Campaign for Safer
Consumption Sites in Ottawa found during canvassing residents.

"The vast majority we get to sign our petition within minutes of
talking to us," she said, adding that people without a personal
connection may be swayed by the argument that offering addicts
alternatives to prevention saves health-care costs in the long run.

But health-care decisions should be made by following the evidence and
using compassion - not making sure everyone agrees, she said.

"I hope it's inevitable but it's also about political will."
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