Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jan 2017
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 The Edmonton Journal
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Claire Theobald
Page: A3

INJECTION SITES GET TEPID SUPPORT IN POLL

47 per cent in favour as city set to host consultations

Almost half of Edmontonians support offering safe injection sites to
drug addicts, according to new results from a Mainstreet/ Postmedia
survey.

In a random survey of 614 Edmonton residents, 47 per cent said they
support the idea of having safe injection sites - where drug addicts
can inject illegal drugs under supervision - in the city.

As city officials prepare to host a series of public consultations on
the proposed opening of up to four medically supervised injection
sites in Edmonton, Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen said he expects access to
information about injection sites will only increase that level of
support.

"I think the information will actually allay people's fears, that
there are legitimate and good reasons to have medically supervised
injection sites," said McKeen.

In December, councillors called for public consultation on a proposal
that would see Edmonton open four supervised injection sites, one
inside the Royal Alexandra Hospital and three others in undisclosed
existing service centres.

Edmonton's safe injection sites would model Vancouver's Insite
program, which has offered addicts a safe and sterile place to use
with access to medical health support since 2003, but promise to be
less conspicuous as there would be four smaller sites instead of one
large centralized location.

A similar poll conducted in Vancouver showed 68 per cent of
respondents support safe injection sites.

McKeen admits the issue is still controversial, with 15 per cent of
respondents in Edmonton somewhat disapproving of safe injection sites
and 22 per cent strongly opposed.

But with an increasing number of deaths related to the illegal use of
dangerous opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanyl - with 193 deaths
related to fentanyl in Alberta between January and September of 2016
alone, and 374 drug-related deaths where fentanyl was detected in
British Columbia over a similar time period - McKeen said the issue is
hard to ignore.

McKeen called safe injection sites a "first step" in dealing with the
complex needs of addicts and helping them find pathways out of
addiction, people he said are currently being treated like "stray animals."

"Safe injection sites offer a real hope ... that the individuals will
become healthier and maybe able to be helped with alternate ways to
deal with their addiction that are healthier, that they can lead lives
of dignity," McKeen said.

McKeen added safe injection sites could save on medical costs and
reduce petty crimes and crimes of social disorder related to drug use.
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