Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jun 2011
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Sheila Drew

WEAK ARGUMENTS AGAINST INJECTION SITES

As someone who imagines that safe-injection sites are a positive 
development, based on the scientific studies that have shown 
significant numbers of lives have been saved, among many other 
benefits, I was hoping to gain more information on the negative 
implications of this approach from the article that was part of the 
series on addiction.

Instead, I was treated to quotes from David Berner, executive 
director of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada, who said: "And 
it's really bad public policy because we have to spend public dollars 
efficiently and wisely."

As far as I understand it, not just some, but all the studies both 
here and across Europe have shown that safe-injection sites are a 
very cost-effective way to deal with the very high costs of addiction 
to our society. I would love to hear some reasoned arguments that 
actually support his statements, but if this is the best the "no 
side" can do, I really hope the large percentage of Canadians who are 
not behind the federal government's drive to end these sites will let 
their voices be heard.

Sheila Drew,

Victoria
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