EX-MAYORS UNITE FOR INSITE

Vancouver needs more supervised injection sites, not less, says former
mayor Larry Campbell.

As the federal government ponders shutting down Insite, the
high-profile facility in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Campbell says
we should instead be looking at new sites.

"I would be disappointed if the federal government said, 'Oh, it's a
good idea, but it's a one-off,'" Campbell said yesterday.

Now a Liberal senator, Campbell was speaking at a press conference
with other former mayors Philip Owen and Mike Harcourt, urging the
government to keep Insite open.

Dr. Thomas Kerr, the lead researcher at Insite, says the vast majority
of Insite users live within a three-block radius. New sites, he said,
could be tailor-made to address drug problems in other communities
like Surrey or New Westminster.

"You can also have very small facilities," Kerr said in an interview.
"You really have to look at the local community."

Former NPA mayor Owen predicted Montreal and Toronto would one day
have their own injection sites. A federal committee recommended all
three cities experiment with pilot injection sites in 2002, but only
Vancouver has followed through.

Harcout, also a former B.C. premier, said other elements of the city's
four pillars drug strategy must be strengthened.

"There's a shortage of treatment and follow-up facilities," Harcourt
said.

A legal exemption allowing Insite to operate expires in September.
Health Minister Tony Clement has said little on the issue, but his
spokesperson says a decision will be made shortly.