Pubdate: Thu, 31 Aug 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Gwen Preston, Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

INJECTION SITE DECISION SOON

Harper Says The Final Call On Insite Will Be Made By The Health
Minister

VANCOUVER - Prime Minister Stephen Harper hinted the government is
very close to announcing its decision on whether it will renew the
operating licence for Vancouver's supervised injection site.

Insite will be forced to close Sept. 12 unless the federal government
extends an exemption to Canada's drug laws, allowing it to operate
legally.

Despite enquiries from reporters during his visit to Vancouver
Wednesday, Harper did not make an announcement. He would only confirm
that the final decision will be made by federal Health Minister Tony
Clement.

"The safe injection site is the Minister of Health's decision," Harper
said, during a Vancouver press conference about increased federal
funding for the Olympics.

"I won't be announcing anything on that myself on this trip, but I
anticipate he will be making an announcement on that very shortly."

Harper did not meet Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan or Premier Gordon
Campbell to discuss Insite.

The site gives addicts in the Downtown Eastside a place to safely
inject their own drugs using a sterile needle, supervised by a nurse.
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MAP posted-by: Derek