WHERE SUPERVISING INJECTIONS IS PART OF NURSING PRACTICE

Re: Two more intervenors join injection site appeal, Nov. 7

In this article, reporter Neal Hall wrote that the Dr. Peter Centre
"has been providing, since 2006, a supervised injection site for some
of its 300 clients, some of whom are homeless or HIV-positive."

The centre has in fact been providing this service since 2002 and all
of its clients are HIV-positive.

The article didn't quite capture the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation's
rationale for providing supervised injection service without an
exemption from Health Canada.

It does so not because it "takes the view that it is not necessary
because it is not part of the kind of scientific study that Insite is
involved in." Rather, the foundation believes the activities of its
registered nurses, in directly observing clients who inject
themselves, are lawful even without an exemption from Health Canada.

Just as important, this practice is ethical and consistent with
practice standards set by B.C.'s College of Registered Nurses.

In the foundation's view, supervising injections is an essential part
of registered nursing practice in providing comprehensive primary
health care to its HIV-positive clients who use intravenous drugs.

I appreciate The Sun's attention to this important public health matter.

Maxine Davis

Executive director

Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation

Vancouver