ODS SPARK CHANGE

Safe-Injection Site For Drug Addicts Proposed For Sunshine Coast

SECHELT-- Coast Garibaldi medical-health officer Paul Martiquet is calling
for a safe-injection site on the Sunshine Coast after three overdose deaths
in the Squamish-Sunshine Coast area in three months.

Noting that federal Health Minister Allan Rock has promised money for pilot
programs on such sites, Martiquet said the Sunshine Coast should consider
applying.

But he said residents of the area would first have to back the idea.

Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne said a comprehensive program is needed to combat
the drug-use problem. However, he said, before a pilot program is
considered, "a public process should be undertaken, and the community
should have an opportunity to deal with it in an informed way."

Sunshine Coast Regional District chairman Don Murray, a former RCMP
officer, said a safe-injection site may be "the only viable method of
solving a horrendous social problem."

Tom Kellman, co-ordinator of the Sunshine Coast's needle-exchange program,
said he favours a European-style medical clinic that would not only house
the safe-injection site, but also provide alcohol and drug counselling,
needle-exchange services, medical services, employment counselling and
methadone.

"Safe-injection sites save lives," Kellman said, adding that addiction is a
health issue.

But Sechelt RCMP think the "safe-site" solution could create more problems
than it solves.

Sgt. Danny Willis said a safe-injection site may attract addicts from the
Vancouver area, with a corresponding jump in serious crimes.

"There are too many ifs," Willis said. "We already have a lot of drug use
and associated crime here."