MacPhail backs Dosanjh call for druglaw talks

Joy MacPhail says she has an open mind about decriminalizing drugs in
the face of an HIV epidemic in Vancouver's downtown east side blamed
on intravenous drug use.

The B.C. health minister said yesterday that she supports
AttorneyGeneral Ujjal Dosanjh's call for talks with Ottawa on the
issue of decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use.

Up to half of the 6,000 to 10,000 intravenous drug users thought to
live in the downtown east side may be infected with the human
immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS, says the VancouverRichmond
health board.

Some members of the Vancouver police department have publicly
commented on possible benefits of decriminalization in the context of
the HIV crisis.

But until the laws are changed, MacPhail said, the status quo will
prevail.

``I'm the health minister,'' she said at the 10th annual B.C. HIV/AIDS
conference at a downtown hotel.

``I deal with health issues in the context of the current law, and the
current law says drugs are illegal, and that's how I deal with it.''

MacPhail backed the call by Vancouver police chief Bruce Chambers and
Mayor Philip Owen for a crackdown on drug dealers in the downtown east
side.

``The issue is a healthcare problem, but there's also a justice
problem here as well,'' she said.

``It's the illegal use of cocaine and we have 10 times the number
of drug dealers in the downtown east side than any other community in
Canada.

``There has to be greater law enforcement against drug dealers down
there as well.''

Treatment, prevention and education are the keys to preventing the
spread of HIV through sharing needles and unprotected sex, she said.