MAJORITY OF LOWER MAINLAND RESIDENTS BACK SAFE-INJECTION SITE

79% Say If Insite Benefits Community, It Should Stay Open; Decision
Expected Soon

Lower Mainland residents strongly support Vancouver's safe-injection
site as the federal Tory government tries to decide whether to keep
it open, a new poll suggests.

Seventy-nine per cent of respondents aware of the issue support
Insite's work should scientific evidence show community benefit,
according to the Mustel Research Group poll to be released today.

Ninety per cent were aware of Insite, according to the poll.

The poll of 506 people, conducted between Aug. 15 and 17, was
financed by Insite for Community Safety, which advocates for Insite.

"[The poll] shows quite broad support for maintaining the Insite
program," said Mustel Group president Evi Mustel. "It's very clear
where the public stands."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in Vancouver yesterday he expects
Health Minister Tony Clement will "very shortly" announce the fate of
Insite, which needs a Health Canada exemption to operate beyond Sept. 12.

Harper has criticized taxpayer-supported illegal drug use, and
Clement opposed safe-injection sites as Ontario health minister.

A Swedish anti-drug advocate who has advised Clement said Canada
should replace safe-injection sites with measures such as compulsory
treatment for addicts.

"[Safe-injection sites are] not an option for your child," said Tomas
Hallberg, director of European Cities Against Drugs.

"This is not an option for any human being."

Hallberg urged Canada to adopt Sweden's mix of programs, which
include compulsory treatment.

The Mustel poll's margin of error is 4.4 per cent, 19 times out of 20.