NEEDLES FOR ADDICTS PROPOSAL FAILS IN CALGARY

The Calgary Health Region has no plans to open needle-injection sites, even
though the federal government is pushing the plan.

Health Canada is considering a plan to allow communities to establish
needle-injection sites where drug addicts can go to get free needles and
inject drugs, such as heroin, under professional supervision.

The proposal has created controversy in Ottawa, where some politicians have
said it is hypocritical to charge diabetics for needles and then give them
away to drug addicts.

CHR spokesman Doug Fraser said Calgary is not going to be one of the sites.

"At this time, we're not considering it," he said.

Fraser said a priority for the city is establishing a methadone clinic.