PUBLISH INSITE RESEARCH TO LET PUBLIC DECIDE

Re: The facts are in about Insite, Aug. 27.

Letter-writer Liz Evans mentioned that the research is in and
indicates Insite saves lives, saves tax dollars, reduces public
disorder, deters drug use, has not attracted new drug users and help
users of the site find detox and treatment options.

Interestingly enough, an article in the Aug.9 issue of The Economist,
a newsmagazine, paints a completely different picture. It stated that
"Five years on, Insite has proved a disappointment to many in
Vancouver." It further said a study found "only about 500 of
Vancouver's 8,000 addicts use Insite each day, and fewer than 10 per
cent of those use it for all their injection. It found no clear
evidence of any increase in treatment, nor of any fall in HIV cases."

Why there is such big difference in interpreting the research
results? Perhaps it is time to publish the research data and let the
public discern the result, instead of just summarily saying that
research results prove the validity of the Insite concept.

Hansen Chan,

Ottawa