SAFE INJECTION SITES REQUIRE COMMUNITY APPROVAL: HEALTH MINISTER

VANCOUVER - Canada's health minister is set to release guidelines for a
controversial new program for drug addicts, bringing it one step further to
getting federal approval.

Anne McLellan said she's developed guidelines for safe injection sites.
They'll supply addicts with clean equipment and medical supervision.

Guidelines for the controversial program will be sent to cities within a
month. But before a site can be set up, McLellan said everyone in the
community must give their unanimous approval.

"You really have to have them satisfied that the placement of any injection
site will not undermine the revitalization of an area," said McLellan.

Safe injection sites, common in Europe, cut down on open drug use and
overdoses, health advocates insist.

And users want a safe place to inject, said Leslie Leduke, a 45-year-old
grandmother addicted to heroin.

"It'd be a good place to have for us. It'd be warmer," said Leduke.

But the idea could be a tough sell in some areas, including Vancouver's
business community. There's been widespread opposition from people who said
the sites will only attract more drug dealers.

Dr. Gabor Matay, a physician who treats addicts in the city's eastside,
thinks McLellan's veto rule is ludicrous.

"The health minister is giving veto rights to people who unfortunately have
not looked at the issue from an objective point of view," said Matay.

Opposition in Europe was reduced after people saw a reduction in addicts
shooting up and dying on the street.

Written by CBC News Online staff