PUB LTE: More treatment for addicts is in the works

Liberal candidate Gail Sparrow claims there are no rehabilitation or
treatment services in the Downtown Eastside, only talk of safe
injection sites (This Sparrow has talons, Feb. 7). It is important to
correct this error.

First, there are no plans by public authorities to operate safe
injection sites in the areas. The Framework for Action paper, on which
the city of Vancouver is consulting with the public, does point out
that safe injection sites are used successfully in other jurisdictions
and need to be debated here. However, to say that local policy makers
are only talking about safe injection sites to solve the area's
problems is misleading.

Second, there are some alcohol and drug treatment services available
in the area, including 32 beds in residential detox, eight alcohol and
drug counsellors, 40 beds for supportive recovery and more than 300
clients on methadone maintenance. However, there is no question that
more treatment is needed in this community.

The need for a real strategy, real services and accountability is the
purpose of the Vancouver Agreement's recently announced health and
safety initiatives for the area. The plan is a first step in making it
safer for everyone. It includes reducing the open drug market at Main
and Hastings and increasing police enforcement.

Treatment is a priority in the area. Treatment services also will be
expanded into the rest of the city as part of the Vancouver Agreement.
This expansion will include close to 3,000 spaces in residential
treatment, 500 new spaces in outpatient detox, sobering services for
4,000 clients a year, increased ambulatory detox, more beds in
recovery homes and increased alcohol and drug counselling services.

Vancouver Agreement Partners