Pubdate: Thu, 08 May 2003
Source: Bergen Record (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Bergen Record Corp.
Contact:  http://www.bergen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44
Author: Associated Press

RIGHTS GROUP FAULTS VANCOUVER FOR DRUG CRACKDOWN

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - A police crackdown on drug dealers in 
downtown Vancouver is causing more harm than good for the neighborhood's 
AIDS and hepatitis epidemic, a Human Rights Watch report says, asserting 
that addicts are being driven away from needle-exchange programs and other 
services.

Called Operation Torpedo, the crackdown has gotten some pushers off the 
streets, "but at a high cost," said the report issued Wednesday by the New 
York-based rights group. Its findings were echoed by health-care workers 
and addicts in the city, known for progressive drug policies.

"The flouting of due process in this crackdown is shocking for a country 
with Canada's strong commitment to human rights," said Joanne Csete, 
director of the HIV/AIDS Program of Human Rights Watch. "Vancouver risks 
making its HIV/AIDS crisis much worse and it's already the worst on the 
continent."

Illegal searches and arrests, excessive force, and other abuses committed 
by police on addicts not accused of dealing drugs have worsened the already 
dire situation in the 15-block neighborhood on Vancouver's east side, which 
is frequented by more than 5,000 addicts, the report said.

Vancouver police denied officers abuse their power, saying the crackdown is 
aimed at dealers, not users, with a goal of ridding the area of pushers 
while keeping addicts near the services they need.

"This whole report lacks credibility," Inspector Doug LePard said Wednesday.

"There's no reason for addicts to be worried," he said. "We're focusing on 
disorder and we're focusing on traffickers." The problem seems ironic for 
Vancouver, a city known for its magnificent mountain and ocean vistas and 
laid-back lifestyle, and its relaxed policies for drug addicts.

More than 2.5 million needles are handed out to addicts each year in the 
city's east end, a warren of dilapidated buildings and filthy streets 
believed to be the stalking ground of a suspected serial killer accused of 
murdering at least 15 prostitutes and drug addicts.

Mayor Larry Campbell, a former police officer and coroner, won last year's 
election on a platform that included the promise of safe injection sites as 
part of a "four pillar" drug policy involving treatment, prevention, harm 
reduction, and enforcement.
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