Pubdate: Tue, 24 May 2016
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Megan Gillis
Page: A1

MAJORITY BACK PLAN FOR SAFE INJECTION SITE: POLL

More than half of Ottawans polled support a safe injection site 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 Toronto, where a drive is
also underway to establish safe 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 safe injection site, 37 per cent disapproved and nine per cent
did not have an opinion. 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 safe 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 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 safe injection site -
with about two-thirds support - include young adults, people who have
used marijuana, those with postgraduate 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 safe 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 addict
to prevention saves healthcare 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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