Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2001
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Roxanne Gregory
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

ODS SPARK CHANGE

Safe-Injection Site For Drug Addicts Proposed For Sunshine Coast

SECHELT-- Coast Garibaldi medical-health officer Paul Martiquet is calling 
for a safe-injection site on the Sunshine Coast after three overdose deaths 
in the Squamish-Sunshine Coast area in three months.

Noting that federal Health Minister Allan Rock has promised money for pilot 
programs on such sites, Martiquet said the Sunshine Coast should consider 
applying.

But he said residents of the area would first have to back the idea.

Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne said a comprehensive program is needed to combat 
the drug-use problem. However, he said, before a pilot program is 
considered, "a public process should be undertaken, and the community 
should have an opportunity to deal with it in an informed way."

Sunshine Coast Regional District chairman Don Murray, a former RCMP 
officer, said a safe-injection site may be "the only viable method of 
solving a horrendous social problem."

Tom Kellman, co-ordinator of the Sunshine Coast's needle-exchange program, 
said he favours a European-style medical clinic that would not only house 
the safe-injection site, but also provide alcohol and drug counselling, 
needle-exchange services, medical services, employment counselling and 
methadone.

"Safe-injection sites save lives," Kellman said, adding that addiction is a 
health issue.

But Sechelt RCMP think the "safe-site" solution could create more problems 
than it solves.

Sgt. Danny Willis said a safe-injection site may attract addicts from the 
Vancouver area, with a corresponding jump in serious crimes.

"There are too many ifs," Willis said. "We already have a lot of drug use 
and associated crime here."
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