Pubdate: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Ida Goodreau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) ADDICTS NEED OUR HELP I'm responding to the recent discussion over Vancouver's supervised injection site. There is little left to say about the merits of Insite. We already know it is saving lives, improving the community and reducing the risk of communicable disease. Vancouver Coastal Health recognizes just how important treatment is and dedicates two-thirds of addiction staff resources to it. However, treatment is a realistic choice for only a small percentage of drug addicts. Giving up a drug or other addiction is extremely difficult, and relapse rates are high. Communities need a range of services to reduce the harm to individuals and others from drug use, and to support recovery. Insite is a pivotal service, in part because it is a first point of contact into the health-care system that provides withdrawal management and addiction treatment for the most marginalized people in our community. Without Insite, these people would have no way to access care and treatment, and no possibility of improving their health or their lives. Insite is not about politics. It is not about flouting laws or challenging moral beliefs. It is simply about getting people the service they need in a manner that reduces risk, encourages access to further levels of care and saves lives -- something that happens every day in hospitals across the country. I don't hear anyone suggesting we close any of them. IDA GOODREAU President and CEO Vancouver Coastal Health - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath