Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2007
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Victoria News
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author: Brennan Clarke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

DRUG CHAOS SPURS SUIT

Needle Exchange Neighbours Upset With Chaos Created By
Addicts

After months of inaction from public officials, fed-up business owners
and other neighbours of Victoria's needle exchange have turned to the
courts to clean up the street problems centred around the Cormorant
Street facility.

A group of 13 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit July 5 aimed at stopping
needle exchange clients from dealing drugs, injecting heroin, smoking
crack and using the surrounding area as a giant outdoor toilet.

Amelia Street lawyer Stewart Johnston, who is spearheading the legal
action, said the group wants an interim court order requiring AIDS
Vancouver Island to ensure needle exchange clients "refrain from
carrying on activities near their property that cause problems for
neighbours."

Johnston said the lawsuit isn't necessarily an attempt to shut down
the needle exchange, but he's skeptical about AVI's ability to
continue operating in that location.

"I think it would be impossible to operate out of that facility in a
proper way," Johnston said.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath