USE ALL THE TOOLS TO FIGHT DRUGS

Stephen Harper's federal government faces quite an ethical dilemma.

On one hand, they have to be seen as tough on illegal drug abuse.

On the other, upon accepting the fact that drug addiction is a
reality, they have to address a byproduct of drug addiction -- the
spread of disease through the sharing of dirty needles.

Some people feel the answer lies with safe-injection sites. The
argument goes, "Oh well, if we can't stop them from abusing drugs
anyway, let's at least try to protect others."

In North America, there is one such centre. Insite operates in a
section of Vancouver which is particularly hard hit by the drug
problem. It is fashioned after similar facilities in Europe.

Insite attracts an average of just over 600 visits a day. Addicts are
allowed to shoot up their own heroin or cocaine within the
semi-privacy of cubicles, under the supervision of a nurse who
provides them with clean needles.

Oh, the debate.

This "harm-reduction" approach has its merits. For one, it reduces
the sharing of used needles, responsible for passing along such
blood-borne diseases as HIV and hepatitis B and C, among others.
Also, while under the supervision of a trained nurse, there is less
likelihood a drug addict is going to overdose. Given these factors,
there is less strain on a health system already sagging beneath
immeasurable burden.

The arguments against such facilities are just as compelling, though
more single-minded. With such an operation -- as with passing out
condoms to teenagers -- it will be judged by some to be not only
facilitating, but even condoning the practice.

Insite has an annual operating budget of $2 million, paid for by the
provincial government. Obviously, the B.C. Liberals feel there are benefits.

As stated earlier, the ethical dilemma falls to the federal
government. Insite will close Sept. 12 unless the Conservatives renew
an exemption granted under Canada's drug laws, allowing it to operate legally.

Studies in top medical journals indicate Insite has dramatically
reduced the risk factor of addicts sharing needles. There is less
success, however, in reducing illegal drug use.

The mean streets of Vancouver are a long way from the Maritimes. But
Insite is not in business because the West coast city is the only
place drug addicts congregate. The drug problem, whether people want
to pull their heads out of the sand and admit it or not, is one
shared by the entire country. Prince Edward Island isn't likely to
ever see an Insite set up shop. But Toronto? Montreal? Even Halifax?
One never knows.

That's why the federal government should allow this "reduced-risk"
facility to carry on, if for no other reason than to assess its value
to our society. Such a concession could come with a time restraint,
during which the merits of the program could be even more carefully
scrutinized.

The progress that has been made, however marginal, can't be
undervalued. Drug addiction is a reality. It may well be that
facilities like Insite have an important place in the battle against
drugs, along with the prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts.