Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: Mike Howell, Vancouver Courier LOWE DOWN WITH INJECTION SITES Victoria Mayor Wants Three Sites, Thinks Vancouver Needs Five Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe says Vancouver could use another five supervised injection sites in addition to its one facility on East Hastings to deal with the drug problem. Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan told the Courier last month he will not lobby the federal government for more injection sites because "there isn't a great enthusiasm for this technique" from the minority ruling Conservatives. "He's in a different situation because he already has a site," Lowe said. "But I think Vancouver needs five more." Despite Sullivan's position and the Conservatives' stance on injection sites, Lowe said Victoria will apply this year to Health Canada to get approval for three supervised injection sites. The request comes after a report released last month by the Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. concluded the estimated 2,000 addicts in the provincial capital need help. Having three sites will "decentralize" the service, said Lowe, who wants support services such as counselling to be included in the facilities. Lowe said having Sullivan as an ally would be an asset when Victoria sends its proposal to Health Canada. Sullivan has called the city's injection site, Insite, a temporary measure. Insite's operating agreement with the federal government expires in December. If the Conservative cabinet fails to extend Insite's licence, Lowe believes it will crush Victoria's chances of getting injection sites. "I don't think we would have a hope," he said. Lowe said he understands Health Minister Tony Clement has the final say on Victoria's proposal. But he doesn't believe a decision on the merits of injection sites should be politicized. "If the staff in the department look at it and say it's something that we should be looking at, it may be very difficult for the health minister to not sign off on it. But if he does sign off on it, then he may be criticized for playing politics instead of looking after the best interests of our community." Lowe is aware of the Conservatives' cool reception to injection sites. But he said governments come and go and there will be an election soon. "We know it's going to be an uphill battle, but if you don't try, you'll never get anything. We believe this is the right thing to do. We believe it will create some public order on our streets, and we believe that Victoria is small enough that it can make a difference." Sullivan and a non-profit society are working on a proposal to have doctors prescribe legal drugs to up to 800 addicts in the Downtown Eastside. Lowe said he supports the idea of the plan but added that such a program shouldn't be traded for injection sites. Insite is North America's only legal injection site. It opened in September 2003. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath