COUN. SLAMS DRUG INJECTION SITE SUGGESTION

EDMONTON - Edmonton should consider creating a safe injection site for drug
addicts if a pilot project in Vancouver is successful, deputy police chief
Mike Bradshaw says.

"If the community sees fit down the road to support a project like that,
that would probably be a benefit," he said Monday following a presentation
to council's community services committee.

"But we would want to see a proper assessment done before we came out and
supported it ... the whole issue of addictions is really a health issue,
not a police issue."

The idea is strongly opposed by Coun. Mike Nickel, who insists tax money
shouldn't be spent helping illegal activities.

"I'm not without compassion, but there's also got to be a sense of fair
play and equity here. I and others follow the rules ... some people decide
to do something else, that's their choice," he said.

"We will become a magnet for every person that's out there that wants to do
drugs and find a shack to do it in. ... I just can't see why my tax dollars
are going to a safe house for people who want to shoot up heroin."

Mayor Stephen Mandel said an injection site could be one method of dealing
with the local drug issue, depending on Vancouver's experience.

He couldn't say where an injection site might be located, because users are
spread throughout the city.

Coun. Janice Melnychuk, a member of the drug task force established by
former mayor Bill Smith, said the group has received money from other
levels of government to work on a strategy.

Their next meeting is Jan. 21.