INSITE SAVES MONEY, AS WELL AS LIVES

Re: "Judge: Ruling may spur more injection sites," May 13

Insite has been operating for eight years. The numerous research
projects and reports all cite the many benefits the facility provides.

Not just for those who utilize the site, but for business and the
community as a whole.

If the federal government has not decided to shut it down, as lawyers
claimed in the Supreme Court of Canada last week, then why has this
case gone all the way to the top court, wasting a lot of money?

If Insite is to be shut down, then the proposed new prisons better be
doubled, because the research has documented facts on its benefits
including a lower crime rate, less visible substance use and dealing,
decreased incidents of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C and fewer hospital
visits and no deaths.

If the fact that so many who use Insite have been connected with
services which facilitate lifestyle changes and improve overall health
isn't for people and their families isn't persuasive, then perhaps the
monetary savings from reduced medical/hospital costs, as well as
policing costs, will be.

If the ruling opens the doors to more safe consumption sites, then the
positive outcomes that Vancouver's Eastside has experienced would
assist more communities by providing tangible solutions.

We are talking about those who are using substances because they are
addicted. Those who frequent Insite are not the high-level dealers
taking advantage of those who are addicted and perpetrating violent
crime.

Karen Dennis Executive director Victoria AIDS Resource & Community
Service Society