PRIME MINISTER IGNORING FACTS ABOUT INSITE

Editor: Stephen Harper's callous attitude towards drug-addicted people
continues to be thwarted by the facts. The B.C. Court of Appeal has ruled
that Insite - Vancouver's supervised injection facility - will remain open,
despite the federal government's objections.

Research has shown that since Insite opened its doors, there has been
a large reduction in public drug use, syringe sharing, and discarded
syringes. Research has also shown a reduction in the transmission of
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

In addition, since Insite opened more addicted people are seeking
treatment and information on detox services. Even further, there has
been no increase in public drug dealing and no increase in drug use or
drug-related crime.

But Mr. Harper is not one to let the facts get in the way. He is now
appealing the B.C. court's decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Yet the facts are already in.

But this is not about efficacy, it is about elections. Mr. Harper has
run on a "tough on crime" platform. That platform looks awfully
foolish if harm reduction sites like Insite actually work.

So he is trying to shut it down before people realize that it does
work. He is willing to kill hundreds of addicted people, and help to
increase the transmission of HIV/AIDS, if it helps him get a majority
government.

He has already introduced Bill C-15 that is guaranteed to increase
gang violence. This would also help his "tough on crime" platform.

Insite should be a source of national pride. We are helping addicted
people get off drugs, reducing crime, and reducing harm. Many
countries are looking to us as leaders in harm reduction.

But Mr. Harper is not interested in actually solving problems. He is
content in making problems worse, if it helps him win elections. We
have a sadist for a prime minister.

Travis Erbacher,

Langley