SAFE-INJECTION SITES GAINING GROUND

I fear people's biases around needle exchanges and safe-injection
sites are leading them to overlook the benefits. These facilities
provide information on addiction, counselling, clean equipment and
staff to treat wounds, abscesses and infections.

There is even peer support, opiate-replacement therapy and withdrawal
management. Right now there are 45 cities around the world with 85
injection sites. Every one says we wish we'd done it sooner and had more.

In a letter earlier this year Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said, "to
date the impressive research findings that have been published
demonstrate that (the site) not only provides a significant
opportunity to generate knowledge, it also appears to be an important
protective factor in the lives of those individuals that use the facility."

Insite in Vancouver has had no overdose deaths.

How can we say these places aren't safe or are making our world a
worse place when they are getting drugs off the streets, decreasing
the spread of infections, including HIV, and bringing much needed awareness.

Matt Erickson

Victoria.