NO INJECTION SITE HERE: FAST

Abbotsford is not a suitable location for a supervised injection
site, despite suggestions that the service for drug users be expanded
into other areas of the Fraser Valley.

That's according to Abbotsford Conservative Party MP Ed Fast, who
said more focus should be put on drug treatment rather than allowing
addicts to shoot up in a monitored environment.

Fast's comments follow the results of a report by University College
of the Fraser Valley criminologist Dr. Irwin Cohen.

In that report, Cohen said that instead of closing the safe injection
site in Vancouver's downtown east side, it may make more sense to
expand the program into other communities.

That is a stance supported by B.C.'s chief medical health officer and
the City of Victoria, which has sought permission from Ottawa to set
up its own supervised injection area.

According to Fast, such a facility in Abbotsford would not be "appropriate."

"For me the message is this: let's address the issue of detox and
treatment first and do it properly before we jump to other harm
reduction strategies," he said.

In June last year, Abbotsford Council - which at the time included
Fast - voted unanimously in favour of a bylaw to make it more
difficult to establish harm reduction services in Abbotsford.

While stopping short of an outright ban, council agreed that anyone
hoping to set up a harm reduction facility - which could include a
safe injection site - would have to go through a rezoning process.

At the time, city councillors said they preferred to focus on
enforcement, education and treatment.

"Here in Abbotsford, city council has resisted safe injection sites,
and one of the reasons is I think they are concerned about the band
aid solution of a safe injection site," said Fast.

"What really needs do be done is improve the availability of treatment.

"I am not sure a facility of that sort is appropriate for Abbotsford
at this time."

The supervised injection site in Vancouver, called Insite, will close
on Sept. 18 unless Health Canada extends its three-year exemption
from federal drug laws.

Advocates of the site say it saves lives, pointing to figures showing
that none of the 200 addicts a year who overdose while injecting at
Insite have died because they are closer medical treatment.
Approximately 600 drug users are said to visit the site every day.

Fast said he did not know what would happen to Insite. However, he
stressed that any Conservative government decision regarding the
issue would use scientific research rather than any possible moral objections.

"At this point in time I would like to wait until we do a thorough
review," Fast said, adding that it will be the government cabinet
that makes the final decision.

"That (moral objections) should not be the basis on which we make
decisions with respect to a health issue," he added.