INSITE MAKES A DIFFERENCE: PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICER

Re: "Insite no real help, Weselowski says," Friday, May 23.

While I wish to honour Billy Weselowski for his achievement in
attaining sobriety and providing valuable services through
InnerVisions, I must also make a couple of comments on his statements
regarding Insite.

Firstly, the addictions literature is very clear that persons facing
addictions problems should be offered a range of treatment services
as there are many routes to recovery and what works well for one
person may well offer no benefit for another.

Secondly, Mr. Weselowski's assertion that the closure of Insite would
not have an impact on recovery rates is very questionable.

Drug users who access Insite's services have been shown to be 30 per
cent more likely to access (and complete) withdrawal management and
addictions treatment services than those who do not access the site.

Removing this gateway, which has a proven beneficial impact on
reducing drug use and increasing sobriety, albeit by different
pathways than InnerVisions, would seem to be, when all is said and
done, contrary to what Mr. Weselowski hopes for: More chances for
people to achieve sobriety and stay sober.

Perry Kendall PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICER