PM INVITED TO TAKE TOUR OF VANCOUVER DRUG ALLEYS

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users has invited
Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tour the alleys of Vancouver's
Downtown Eastside so he can see the devastation of drug abuse for himself.

The invitation was issued as advocates continue a campaign to urge
Health Canada to extend the exemption that allows North America's
only safe injection site to operate legally.

The exemption expires in September.

"Come on down and walk the alleys with us and we'll show you what we
mean," said spokeswoman Ann Livingstone.

A group of Australian parliamentarians called on Harper yesterday not
to close the safe injection site for heroin addicts.

Harper has not committed to any move, but Health Canada officials
must decide soon whether or not to extend the exemption.

"(Insite) ... has saved lives and transformed the response to drug
users from health and social services," says the letter from the
Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform. "Our research has
also shown the benefits of the injecting centre, not only in saving
lives but also providing a pathway to recovery."

An assessment of results from the site are under review, said a
Health Canada statement.