SAFE-INJECTION SITES HOT TOPIC AT MONDAY FORUM

Safe-injection sites were one of the main issues covered at the
community forum on crime and addictions on Monday.

Daryl Plecas, who is on the criminology faculty at the University of
the Fraser Valley, spoke at the forum and said he would even like the
safe-injection model to be taken to the next level.

"We might want to entertain the notion of having the drugs for
people," said Plecas.

Under the "supervised use site" model the crime that often
accompanies the search for drugs may be lessened.

"People that use those [safe-injection facilities], many of them have
victimized people to get there," he said.

The longtime criminology professor said if people knew the goal is to
get addicts off of drugs, it may pick up speed with the municipal
government and the community at-large.

Barry Shampz, a mental health and addictions working group member
that organized the forum, said he was disappointed with the level of
apathy in Abbotsford when it comes to dealing with people suffering
from addictions and mental health problems.

"I was shocked that there was such little interest," said Shampz, who
pointed to homelessness and addiction services not being on a recent
priority list passed by Abbotsford city council, which included
various projects and initiatives the city feels is important.
Included was a new justice centre and solutions to transit problems
in the city.

"Homelessness and poverty were not on the agenda. I am sensing quite
a lack of interest with poverty and those at the bottom in
Abbotsford," said Shampz, who added there was enthusiasm in
Abbotsford for the idea of safe-injection sites, but many were afraid
to speak in favour of it.

Plecas said the apathy in Abbotsford could just be a matter of people
not having all the facts.

"People aren't knowledgeable about how many people in our community
suffer from addiction and mental health issues," said Plecas. "There
is no reason why Abbotsford can't take a leadership role on this."