Pubdate: Thu, 5 Jun 2008
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2008 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Authors: Gloria Galloway and Ian Bailey
Referenced: The ruling http://drugsense.org/url/IoeOUnAY
Cited: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS 
http://www.cfenet.ubc.ca
Cited: PHS Community Services Society http://www.communityinsite.ca
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Insite (Insite)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Tony+Clement

CLEMENT TO ASSESS QUEBEC'S SAFE-INJECTION-SITE PLANS

Advocates in B.C. Upset in Light of Health Minister's Decision Last 
Week to Contest Ruling That Validated Vancouver's Insite Program

OTTAWA, VANCOUVER -- Health Minister Tony Clement says his government 
will not necessarily oppose safe-injection sites for illegal drugs in 
Quebec even though it will appeal a court decision allowing a similar 
facility in British Columbia. "It's a situation that we can discuss 
with the province. There is no decision now, today," Mr. Clement said 
when asked about the possibility that Quebec will set up a facility 
like Vancouver's Insite.

"I am obligated to consider each situation as a unique situation. 
That's my obligation as the Minister of Health."

Quebec jealously guards control of its health-care system and does 
not take kindly to federal interference. But a safe-injection site 
would require an exemption from the federal Controlled Drugs and 
Substances Act.

Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard said yesterday that his 
government is considering opening safe-injection sites where addicts 
can inject drugs such as heroin under medical supervision. Like 
Vancouver's groundbreaking Insite, the Quebec sites could offer 
needle-exchange programs and help for addicts who want to quit.

"It is an option that is being evaluated, among others," said Marie 
Claude Gagnon, a spokeswoman for Quebec's Ministry of Health.

It is too early to say how many of the sites could be established or 
where, Ms. Gagnon said, adding that her government is interested in 
controlling disease.

"It's part of a gamut of solutions for a clientele that are difficult 
to reach," she said.

Mr. Clement's comments left some in British Columbia astonished given 
the minister's criticism of safe-injection sites.

"If it's good enough for Quebec, it's good enough for B.C.," said 
Allan Lowe, mayor of Victoria, which has been seeking three 
safe-injection sites for several years. Mr. Lowe said he was 
"delighted" Mr. Clement was willing to talk with the Quebec Health 
Minister, but hoped he would also talk with George Abbott, the B.C. 
Health Minister.

"What's good for one health minister in one province should be good 
for another health minister in another province," Mr. Lowe said.

Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver, a supporter of Insite, wondered 
about Mr. Clement's views.

"It's either a case of treating Quebec differently or it's a case the 
thinking in Ottawa is evolving," Mr. Sullivan said.

Thomas Kerr of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, who has 
conducted studies on Insite, said Mr. Clement's comments were in line 
with contradictions in the government's handling of the issue.

"Nothing really surprises me fully at this point given how all over 
the map this government has been on this issue," Dr. Kerr said.

Mark Townsend, a spokesman for the PHS Community Services Society, 
which helps run Insite, called it "quite bizarre" that Mr. Clement 
did not tell Quebec he opposes safe-injection sites.

"The only thing it could be is that Stephen Harper is prepared to 
bend over backwards for Quebec," he said.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Couillard said the minister is examining a 
British Columbia Supreme Court ruling which said that Insite's 
injection-drug users have the right to protection from drug laws 
under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mr. Justice Ian Pitfield 
gave the federal government until June 30, 2009, to redraft laws 
against possession and trafficking of illegal drugs to accommodate 
Insite's operation.

But Mr. Clement told the Commons health committee last week that he 
would ask that the ruling be appealed. Injection not only causes 
physical harm, he argued, but prolongs addiction.

Mr. Clement also said such programs divert funds from treatment - and 
that a government-sponsored supervised injection site sends a very 
mixed message.

"But my obligation, again, is to consider the unique situation of 
each issue," he added.

Libby Davies, a New Democrat MP whose Vancouver riding includes 
Insite, said it is obvious the federal Conservatives are "incredibly 
sensitive" to what is going on in Quebec.

The Tories believe they could make gains in Quebec that would help 
them form a majority government.

"They don't want to upset anybody in Quebec and they seem to be 
writing off Vancouver and British Columbia. I'm appalled," Ms. Davies said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake