Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2016 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Author: Ed Hall Page: A8 PLACE INJECTION SITE IN POLICE BUILDING Editor: Interior Health is proposing the first Safe Injection Site outside of the Lower Mainland to be located in downtown Kelowna. I would like to remind the citizens of Kelowna and our elected officials of the many drawbacks to placing a Safe Injection Site for the consumption of illegal drugs in downtown Kelowna. There is abundant evidence that once a Safe Injection Site is located in an area, consumption of these illegal substances increases. This means that not only will more drugs be consumed, but more users will be attracted to the downtown area which will bring more sellers of illegal substances. With more drug transactions being conducted, there will be an increase in property crime. As more illegal substance business is conducted, there will be an inevitable increase in organized crime and gang presence in our fair city. Is this what the citizens of Kelowna want in our downtown? Is this what the mayor and council want for our downtown? The use and abuse of illegal substances has already destroyed the ability to conduct normal business in the Leon Avenue area of downtown. The location of a Safe Injection Site in this area will only cause a spread of this blight to other areas of downtown. As it is, many citizens will not venture downtown let alone go anywhere near Leon Avenue. I propose that a harm reduction Safe Injection Site be provided, but in a remote setting where it can be combined with residential and rehab services, so that the whole substance abuse and dependence issue in individuals can be addressed in one setting. If Interior Health and the City of Kelowna feel that the matter of safe injection of illegal substances must be dealt with in a downtown setting, then I propose that accommodation be made in the new police services building for the safe administration and injection of illegal substances. This will ensure the safety and security of clients of the facility and allow our local police force to keep a close eye on the illegal activity taking place in the vicinity of the injection site. The distribution and consumption of illegal and addictive substances is inconsistent wit a healthy, vibrant and flourishing downtown. Ed Hall, Kelowna - --- MAP posted-by: Matt