TORIES GIVE INSITE A 16-MONTH REPRIEVE

Supporters of Vancouver's safe injection site welcomed an announcement
that the facility will continue operating.

But the celebration was tempered by the fact that the site was not
granted another three-and-a-half-year legal exemption.

Instead, the Tories gave it a 16-month extension, saying more research
is needed to determine whether the site contributes to lowering drug
use and fighting addiction.

In Friday's release, Health Minister Tony Clement said no new sites
will be considered until such questions are answered.

Advocates say Vancouver needs more sites, while Victoria's mayor also
wants one.

Some questioned the timing of the announcement, which came late in the
day preceding the last long weekend of the summer.

"News that you're not especially proud of, you sneak it under the door
on Friday," University of Victoria professor emeritus Norman Ruff said.