KEEP INSITE OPEN, PREMIER SAYS

Campbell Addresses Concerns That New Federal Anti-Drug Strategy May Close Site

VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell urged the federal Conservative
government Monday not to close Insite, the controversial supervised
injection facility in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

"It's part of the solution," Campbell told reporters, when asked
about speculation that the Harper government's new anti-drug
strategy, to be unveiled this week, won't renew the federal exemption
allowing the site to operate.

"I think that it's actually been a facility and a service that's made
a difference. So I would like to have it stay open."

Insite, which is based on the harm-reduction model, allows heroin
addicts to shoot up in a sterilized, supervised setting.

A recent study published by the University of B.C.'s Dr. Thomas Kerr
found Insite reduced the risk of overdoses and encouraged users to
seek treatment.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been critical of the site and
Health Canada must decide whether to renew the exemption by the end
of the year.

Campbell said there are many ways to deal with rampant drug use and
Insite "is one of them." He added, "I think it's been positive to
date and we want to continue to build on the positive nature of that service."

The premier said B.C. Health Minister George Abbott and federal MPs
in the Lower Mainland will "work with" federal Health Minister Tony
Clement to keep the safe-injection facility open.

In the latest federal budget, the Harper government said it would
invest $64 million in a new national anti-drug strategy.

The plan is expected to combine treatment and prevention programs
with tougher penalties for illicit drug use.

Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies said Monday the Conservatives
appear to be moving closer to the American government's war-on-drugs approach.

"Instead of accepting the overwhelming evidence and moving toward a
balanced drug strategy for Canada, the Conservatives are running in
the other direction," said Davies.

"Criminalizing this public health problem with a heavy-handed
U.S.-style war on drugs only serves to create a culture of fear
instead of addressing the root causes and problems of drug use in
Canada," said Davies, noting Insite has had strong support from the
City of Vancouver and the wider community.

B.C. Liberal MP Keith Martin has predicted Clement won't renew the
federal exemption.

Martin added recently that by not allowing the facility to operate,
the Conservatives "will be essentially committing murder."

Martin said strategies targeting drug users have failed to work in
other countries.

Insite has been praised for helping slow the spread of serious
diseases by preventing users from sharing needles.

Critics say Insite promotes illegal drug use, which is best treated
as a criminal matter, not a medical one.