Pubdate: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 The Vancouver Sun Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Authors: Vancouver Agreement Partners PUB LTE: More treatment for addicts is in the works Liberal candidate Gail Sparrow claims there are no rehabilitation or treatment services in the Downtown Eastside, only talk of safe injection sites (This Sparrow has talons, Feb. 7). It is important to correct this error. First, there are no plans by public authorities to operate safe injection sites in the areas. The Framework for Action paper, on which the city of Vancouver is consulting with the public, does point out that safe injection sites are used successfully in other jurisdictions and need to be debated here. However, to say that local policy makers are only talking about safe injection sites to solve the area's problems is misleading. Second, there are some alcohol and drug treatment services available in the area, including 32 beds in residential detox, eight alcohol and drug counsellors, 40 beds for supportive recovery and more than 300 clients on methadone maintenance. However, there is no question that more treatment is needed in this community. The need for a real strategy, real services and accountability is the purpose of the Vancouver Agreement's recently announced health and safety initiatives for the area. The plan is a first step in making it safer for everyone. It includes reducing the open drug market at Main and Hastings and increasing police enforcement. Treatment is a priority in the area. Treatment services also will be expanded into the rest of the city as part of the Vancouver Agreement. This expansion will include close to 3,000 spaces in residential treatment, 500 new spaces in outpatient detox, sobering services for 4,000 clients a year, increased ambulatory detox, more beds in recovery homes and increased alcohol and drug counselling services. Vancouver Agreement Partners - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager