Pubdate: Fri, 14 Mar 2008
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2008 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Nathan Allen

CANADA NEEDS SAFE INJECTION SITES

Re: Canada Urged To Stem Illicit Drug Use, March 5.

One reason Canadians seeking solutions to drug addiction are enraged 
over the latest report of the International Narcotics Control Board 
(INCB) is the board's complete lack of understanding of the 
international laws to control illicit narcotics.

In 2002, the UN formally confirmed that supervised injection sites do 
not actually infringe upon international enforcement endeavours. A 
legal brief ( Flexibility of treaty provisions as regards to harm 
reduction approaches, 2002) states clearly it is "not the intent of a 
[supervised injection site] to aid, abet or facilitate the possession 
of drugs," and in fact for primary health facilities, like InSite, it 
notes that "the intention of governments is to provide healthier 
conditions for IV-drug abusers, thereby reducing their risk of 
infection with grave transmittable diseases and reaching out to them 
with counselling and other therapeutic options."

Moreover, in 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on 
HIV/AIDS supporting the distribution of "sterile injecting equipment" 
and promotion of "harm-reduction efforts related to drug use."

Instead of attacking those working to save lives, why doesn't the 
INCB act positively by providing real prevention strategies. We need 
effective prevention, aimed at equipping the children of today with 
the right information to make the right choices tomorrow, maybe then 
they will never need the help of an InSite nurse.

Nathan Allen, co-ordinator, InSite for Community Safety, Vancouver.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom