INJECTION SITE ON AGENDA

City council is getting a lesson from local students about the
potential benefits of a safe-injection site within Prince Albert.

Fourth-year nursing students at the First Nations University of
Canada's Prince Albert campus will present their case in favour of a
safe-injection site during tonight's city council meeting at City Hall.

Kali Chabot, nursing-student group-speaker, doesn't realistically
expect council to approve their request for an injection site.

She said the goal of the presentation is to raise awareness and get
councillors thinking about alternative solutions to intravenous
drug-use related problems.

"Since what we're doing now isn't working, maybe we should be
considering something else," she said.

More than just a place to get clean needles, Chabot said
safe-injection sites can provide counselling, referrals to addiction
services, medical staff on site to reduce infection, education to
prevent overdose and abcesses and information about places where
users can stay. As well, a social worker could work on site and
collaboration with physicians is possible.

Although Prince Albert is a small city, Chabot said the community
does have a substantial drug-use problem.

Dr. June Anonson, assistant dean of the college of nursing, said her
students conducted interviews, surveys and petitions regarding the
safe-injection site issue.

Chabot said a survey with drug users demonstrated the need for an
injection facility in Prince Albert.

"One hundred per cent agreed we should have one."