Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jun 2016
Source: Metro (Ottawa, CN ON)
Page: 3
Copyright: 2016 Metro
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Ottawa
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4032
Author: Joe lofaro

ATTORNEY GENERAL VOICES SUPPORT FOR SUPERVISED INJECTION SITE

Ontario's new attorney general says Ottawa should heed the advice of 
its top doctor, who is publicly urging the city to support supervised 
injection sites.

In his first interview since Monday's cabinet shuffle, Ottawa Centre 
MPP Yasir Naqvi expressed support for the controversial sites as a 
means to reduce harm to drug addicts.

"I believe in evidence-based solutions," Naqvi told Metro on Tuesday morning.

"If the officer of health is telling us that the evidence results in 
better care and ensuring people get the treatment and that we reduce 
the harm to the individual and to others through reducing the risk of 
the transfer of HIV and hepatitis C, then we should pay close 
attention to that expert advice."

In a report to be tabled at Ottawa Public Health's June 20 meeting, 
Ottawa's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Isra Levy wrote, "There 
is a need to expand services to include SIS in Ottawa," adding the 
site in Vancouver has shown documented success over the years.

Levy's stance on the issue is at odds with Mayor Jim Watson and 
police Chief Charles Bordeleau, who both vehemently oppose the model.

Rob Boyd, director of the harm reduction program at the Sandy Hill 
Community Health Centre, which is where the proposed supervised 
injection site would be located, is seeking a federal government 
exemption to open the facility.

Naqvi, who was the former Minister of Community Safety and 
Correctional Services, said he supports all forms of harm reduction 
for people with drug addictions, and suggested Watson and Bordeleau 
consider expert opinion.

"The officer of health is advising them to look into it and the 
decision does rest with the federal government because it's an 
exception from the Criminal Code at the municipal level," said Naqvi. 
"I think we should always make evidence-based decisions."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom