MARTIN: SAFE-INJECTION SITES SAVE LIVES

Re: "Injection site boosts drug use: RCMP," Dec 11.

The statements by the RCMP that Vancouver's Insite safe-injection
site boosts drug use appear to be based on opinion rather than fact.

Insite's activities have been rigorously and scientifically assessed.
In fact this scientific component was a condition of its existence.

The evidence surrounding this program is unassailable. The outcomes
have been published in several of the world's best medical journals,
including the Lancet. They clearly show that Insite produced a higher
incidence of detox among its users, saved millions of dollars in
costs to our health system, saved lives and reduced crime, especially
car theft and break-ins.

Vancouver police, Premier Gordon Campbell, Vancouver Mayor Sam
Sullivan and the physicians who work in the field of addictions are
very supportive of the site as they see the positive impact it is
having every day.

If the RCMP has scientifically assessed the program then they should
release their findings and methodologies. If their report is based on
opinion then they should say so.

The fact is the "war on drugs" has failed. We need to view those with
addictions as having a medical problem, not a judicial problem, and
treat them with humanity through our health-care system, not through our jails.

Keith Martin,

Member of Parliament,

Esquimalt.