THOUGHTS ON SAFE-INJECTION SITES

Re: A Better Way To Treat Addicts, Tony Clement, May 30.

More than 25 peer-reviewed scientific studies have proven that
Vancouver's supervised injection site, Insite, saves lives, reduces
harm and decreases crime. That the B. C. Supreme Court stated that
supervised injection sites are an essential health care tool to treat
those who have IV addiction problems underscores these facts.

Therefore, it is inconceivable that our federal government has chosen
to follow their ideology instead of the science and is appealing the
B. C. court's ruling. If successful, the government will deprive
cities like Toronto, Victoria and Winnipeg from having their own
supervised injection sites. It will also be committing an untold
number of people to an early death, the spread of fatal diseases and
increased crime. This is unconscionable.

Dr. Keith Martin, MP for Esquimalt- Juan de Fuca, Ottawa.