STRONGER SUPPORT NEEDED BEFORE SAFE INJECTION SITE WILL BE CONSIDERED

VICTORIA - Most Victorians support the city's new ideas in dealing with a
growing drug and homelessness problem, according to a recently-released report.

But that support is not strong enough to prove to the province and federal
governments that Victoria is ready to back a supervised injection site, or
any number of new solutions, Mayor Alan Lowe said.

"We need a stronger front," Lowe said. "Yes, it is time to make decisions,
but the more people who are aware of the strategy, the more support it'll
have."

The report was a result of surveys taken during four public information
sessions held in May and early June. The city, the Vancouver Island Health
Authority and various street outreach groups made presentations about harm
reduction strategies, which focus on keeping addicts alive while their
social, mental and health problems are dealt with.

The concept has met some opposition here and abroad because some say it
condones drug use, such as through a supervised injection site.