Pubdate: Sun, 03 Oct 2004 Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Kamloops This Week Contact: http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271 Author: Mark Subryan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) TIME TO TALK ABOUT DRUG SITE During the next few months, talks about opening a safe-injection site program in Kamloops will restart. A year ago, similar talks were rejected wholeheartedly, however, now may be an opportune time to readdress this serious issue. After the success of a similar program in Vancouver's impoverished Eastside, organizers here in Kamloops feel it's time to bring this very idea into the city. The immense success of the program in Vancouver, as well as in the Netherlands and Switzerland cannot be ignored. Granted, a community like Kamloops wants to have the small-town values in a large, urban dwelling. However, anyway we look at it, Kamloops is very much an urban centre and many of the issues facing Canada's urban areas are here. A safe injection site will mean intravenous drug users have a safe place to stay. Since Vancouver opened their site, the clinic has managed to save the lives of 72 drug users in 107 incidents. A safe injection site will mean safer streets for residents while providing a safe environment for drug users. Unfortunately, the problems arising from drugs aren't staying in the large cities like Vancouver and Toronto; they are now showing up in places smaller than Kamloops. So, when the talk turns back to creating a safe injection program, maybe we should keep an open mind and realize a program is not there to promote drug use, but to create a safer environment for residents and users alike. Debate is healthy and a part of a community's growth, so express yourselves on this issue. We're sure proponents of both sides of the debate will learn a lot when all is said and done. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek