QUEBEC PONDERS SAFE-INJECTION SITES

QUEBEC - Quebec is considering opening safe-injection sites for drug
addicts, following in the footsteps of a controversial Vancouver
initiative that the federal government is trying to shut down.

"We are looking into this very seriously," Health Minister Philippe
Couillard said yesterday.

Quebec public health authorities are keen on the idea and believe this
strategy can effectively cut down on blood-borne infections among drug
addicts and set users on the road to recovery.

"The idea is not to promote drug use, but to offer users a safe
environment where they can also exchange syringes and get in touch
with people who can help them," said Horacio Arruda, director of the
department's health-protection branch.

North America's only safe injection site first opened its doors in
2003 in Vancouver.

The federal Conservative government has repeatedly tried to shut it
down, but last week the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in favour of the
safe-injection site on the grounds it provides a constitutionally
protected health-care service. The government is appealing.