ANTI-ADDICTION PROGRAM IS STILL MISSING TREATMENT PILLAR

In theory, there's good reason to support the Vancouver Police
Department's decision to arrest people who inject drugs near Insite,
the supervised injection facility. But enforcement alone won't solve
the continuing problem of public drug use.

The police crackdown was motivated in part by recent complaints about
flagrant drug use. Many people who live in the Downtown Eastside are
treated daily to the spectacle of addicts shooting up in lanes,
alcoves or right in the middle of the block.

Even worse, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority estimates it
recovers 18,000 needles a month from within a four-block radius of
Insite. Discarded needles could pose a health threat to anyone who
comes into contact with them, especially children.

So for the sake of the community, it's better that addicts inject at
Insite. It's also better for addicts themselves: Several studies have
confirmed that Insite has had a beneficial effect on the lives of some addicts.

One study found that Insite users are less likely to engage in risky
behaviours such as sharing needles, while another found that Insite
staff have made a significant number of referrals to counselling
services and detox programs.

Further, although there have been more than 100 overdoses at the
facility, no users have died, in contrast to the many street users
who have died since the site opened. Finally, Insite users know they
will always have clean needles and a sanitary place to shoot up.

The site, therefore, has proven benefits for both addicts and the
community, and so it's understandable that the police want to get
addicts off the street and into it. However, officials at the
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority admit the site is operating at
near capacity.

According to the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, there are
15,000 drug injections every day, yet Insite can only handle 600.
Further, it's still unclear whether there are sufficient treatment
facilities available for those addicts who are motivated to kick the habit.

Consequently, a police crackdown, while important for the health of
both addicts and the community, will do little to solve the problem
of public drug use if it's not accompanied by an increase in
supervised injection and treatment facilities.

We are once again one pillar short in the four pillars program, which
requires treatment along with enforcement, prevention and harm reduction.