INSITE REPRESENTS ONE OF FOUR PILLARS

Re: "Ladner jabbed for Insite stance," Sept. 24.

Dr. Thomas Kerr said in Allen Garr's recent column that it is my
intention to "condemn Insite," Vancouver's supervised injection site,
"to perpetual pilot status."

This is simply not true. I fully support Insite and that support has
never wavered. The reality is that there are limited resources to
address the issue of drug addiction in our city.

There are four pillars to the drug strategy and Insite has proven
effective at reducing the risks associated with IV drug use. However,
it is crucial that the under-funded pillars, namely treatment and
prevention, are also adequately supported.

That is why I've fought hard for the women of the Downtown Eastside
and applauded when the federal health minister announced $20 million
in funding for treatment.

That is why I will continue to support Insite; and that is why I will
continue to fight for an effective prevention strategy that actually
reduces the need for treatment and harm reduction.

Kim Capri,

NPA Vancouver

city councilllor