DRUG USE IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS

No one should like the idea of a publicly funded establishment where
people can consume illegal drugs.

On that basic level, opposition to a supervised injection site for
Victoria is understandable.

But the benefits, for drug users and the entire community, are
proven: Fewer deaths, reduced illness and health-care costs and an
increase in the number of drug users introduced to services that help
them stabilize their lives and, in some cases, get off drugs.

With or without a safe-consumption centre, addicts will continue to
use drugs, at least until we have developed a more effective approach
to addictions. Since about 80 per cent of users are either homeless
or precariously housed, that means they will use on the street, in
alleys and in parking lots.

That's dangerous for them and destructive for the community. Downtown
businesses and the tourism industry both suffer the consequences.

That's why we hope Prime Minister Stephen Harper will reconsider his
reluctance to expand the program that has seen the establishment of a
supervised site in Vancouver.

The prime minister reiterated his opposition to additional facilities
yesterday in Victoria.

He's not alone. While Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe, B.C. Health Minister
George Abbott, police and public health officials support a
supervised injection site, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce does not.

Chamber CEO Bruce Carter notes inadequate treatment services are a
critical problem: "The community has been crying for increased detox
facilities for years," he says.

The chamber has also called for increased drug enforcement rather
than the creation of a safe-consumption site.

Addiction, in all its forms, has damaged Victoria since its earliest
days as a city.

The business community has an enormous stake in seeing progress made
on addictions. It also has the skills and clout to take the lead in
proposing solutions.

We hope the chamber will reconsider and join other community leaders
and politicians in asking the prime minister for a three-year trial
for a supervised injection program in Victoria.