Pubdate: Tue, 21 Nov 2006
Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 Prince Albert Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.paherald.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918
Author: Carter Haydu, Herald Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites)

INJECTION SITE ON AGENDA

City council is getting a lesson from local students about the 
potential benefits of a safe-injection site within Prince Albert.

Fourth-year nursing students at the First Nations University of 
Canada's Prince Albert campus will present their case in favour of a 
safe-injection site during tonight's city council meeting at City Hall.

Kali Chabot, nursing-student group-speaker, doesn't realistically 
expect council to approve their request for an injection site.

She said the goal of the presentation is to raise awareness and get 
councillors thinking about alternative solutions to intravenous 
drug-use related problems.

"Since what we're doing now isn't working, maybe we should be 
considering something else," she said.

More than just a place to get clean needles, Chabot said 
safe-injection sites can provide counselling, referrals to addiction 
services, medical staff on site to reduce infection, education to 
prevent overdose and abcesses and information about places where 
users can stay. As well, a social worker could work on site and 
collaboration with physicians is possible.

Although Prince Albert is a small city, Chabot said the community 
does have a substantial drug-use problem.

Dr. June Anonson, assistant dean of the college of nursing, said her 
students conducted interviews, surveys and petitions regarding the 
safe-injection site issue.

Chabot said a survey with drug users demonstrated the need for an 
injection facility in Prince Albert.

"One hundred per cent agreed we should have one." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake