Pubdate: Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Giuseppe Valiante
Page: A12

MONTREAL SAFE DRUG INJECTION SITE CLOSES IN ON FEDERAL APPROVAL

MONTREAL - Quebec health care workers and politicians say they expect 
the new federal government to approve their application for 
supervised, illicit drug injection sites in Montreal, which will make 
the city the second in Canada to host the controversial harm-reduction program.

But some are warning the strict law passed before the Conservatives 
left office will mean potential injection site operators will have to 
navigate a complicated legal maze aimed at preventing these sites from opening.

The chairman of the health centre expected to house Montreal's first 
legal injection site said he has "no doubt" the new Liberal health 
minister will approve the application after months of what he calls 
Conservative "stalling."

Louis Letellier de St-Just said if the project calling for three, 
fixed safe injection locations and one mobile unit gets approved 
quickly, it might be up and running by next fall.

"The project will certainly get the go-ahead from the (new) federal 
health minister so we are thrilled," said Letellier de StJust, whose 
community health centre, Cactus Montreal, has been working with drug 
users and sex workers for decades.

A City of Montreal spokeswoman said Mayor Denis Coderre was also 
confident that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government 
would approve the proposal.

Health Canada refused to comment on Montreal's application, but the 
Liberals' election platform stated its support of supervised 
injection sites, saying they "decrease the risk of death and disease 
for those living with addiction and mental illness, reduce crime, and 
protect public health and safety."

Currently, Vancouver is the only city in Canada where intravenous 
drug users can inject themselves with illegal substances under 
supervision of nurses and other health care staff.

Proponents of these facilities say the sites offer a clean and safe 
location for drug users as opposed to the street, and where addicts 
can be directed toward treatment programs.

Critics say the sites encourage drug use, attract drug users and say 
governments shouldn't be subsidizing centres where people consume 
illegal substances.

The previous Conservative government took the latter view, and its 
efforts to close the Vancouver centre, called Insite, were stopped by 
the Supreme Court of Canada in 2011.

The high court ruled the government couldn't deny health services to 
addicts in the city's Downtown Eastside.

In response to the ruling, the Tories passed legislation in June 
which makes it "virtually impossible" for new sites to open in the 
country, said Anna Marie D'Angelo, with Vancouver's Insite.

Cities seeking a supervised injection site need approval from the 
federal government through an exemption under the Controlled Drugs 
and Substances Act.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom