LET'S KEEP INJECTION SITE GOING

In a perfect world, the injection drug users in Vancouver would all
quit drugs, go back to school and become chartered accountants. In
our imperfect world we can be grateful for experiments like Insite,
the Vancouver safe injection site that is the only one of its kind in
North America.

Studies have already shown that Insite, which opened three years ago,
is reducing overdose deaths among its addicted clients -- and
reducing the public cost of ferrying overdosed addicts to hospital.
The site also seems to be prompting addicts to seek detox facilities
after talking with Insite's addictions counsellor.

All Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to do to keep this worthy
project going is to renew Insite's exemption from federal narcotics
laws. Harper seems to be dithering on the matter, no doubt worried
about seeming soft on street drugs.

Let him rest assured that renewing Insite will merely show his
willingness to support the fight against drug addiction, and to give
some of our most damaged citizens a helping hand.