NEEDLES HANDED OUT

Letter writer Callum Milne of Prince George would like some
"evidence" to support David Berner's assertions that Insite has not
been telling the truth about its operation.

Here's one: Not every injection supplied by Insite is supervised.

As the former partner of a heroin addict, I can tell you that Insite
routinely gives out handfuls of needles to its "clients" to take
home, or wherever, to help them shoot up. That is not what Insite says it does.

As much as it was against my better judgment, I would drive her to
the facility and she would run in and be back in five minutes with a
handful of needles.

I did it to ensure she was safe because she was going to do it
anyway. But how is handing out handfuls of needles to addicts helping
them? If you want to know why Insite is still around, just follow the
money. Those running the facility are stuffing their pockets with our
tax dollars and will never tell you how much they are making to see
addicts strung out all over the city.

Thomas Reekie, Nelson