Pubdate: Wed, 30 Nov 2016
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Carmen Weld

KELOWNA SAFE INJECTION SITE DEBATE HEATS UP

Safe injection sites eyed in Kelowna

The debate over a safe injection site in Kelowna continues to gain
steam as community members take sides on the controversial topic.

The Downtown Kelowna Association has come out against the Interior
Health Authority's proposed Leon Avenue location, due to public safety
concerns.

On the opposing side, some other leading community members are pushing
for the proposed location as they believe safe-injection sites are
critical in saving lives.

Kelowna NDP candidate in the last federal election and college
professor, Norah Bowman, penned a letter this week supporting Safe
Injection Facilities (SIF) in both Kelowna and Kamloops.

She found support from several other health professionals, community
leaders, academics and front line workers who signed the letter along
with her.

"I wanted to express support for them from a data-driven perspective
as well as showing compassion for how difficult and emotional this
issue is," said Bowman.

"I really want to encourage compassionate and friendly public
democratic discussion about this and not turn it into two angry sides.
I think everyone wants a beautiful, safe city and people just need to
talk about it."

She said she wants to encourage an open, honest and kind conversation
on the topic and she hopes residents will utilize the Interior Health
online tool to submit their thoughts on SIFs.

The original letter itself, which you can read here, is now gaining
traction as those in support of the letter are sharing it online
through social media and asking others to sign their name.

"SIF facilities save lives: peer-reviewed studies show that fatal
overdoses in areas served by an SIF decrease by close to 50 per cent.
SIF facilities do not increase street crime; in fact, reliable studies
show that they correlate with a significant decrease in vehicle-break
in," reads one section of the letter.

To submit your own thoughts on the topic email  ---
MAP posted-by: Matt