VANCOUVER INJECTION SITE CAN STAY OPEN

OTTAWA -- Vancouver's controversial supervised-injection site should
stay open indefinitely, the country's top court ruled Friday, calling
the federal government's move to shut it down a violation of the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision was a defeat for the
Conservative government, which has said it favours prevention rather
than "harm-reduction" programs.

Insite, which opened in 2003, provides a haven for addicts to inject
drugs using sterile needles under a nurse's supervision.

The ruling could pave the way for similar facilities around the
country.

Dean Wilson, who has fought drug addiction for more than 40 years and
who has used the Insite facility himself, said the decision was a
fitting result after the long battle first to get, and then to keep,
the facility in Vancouver's drugravaged Downtown Eastside.

"It's a validation of all the stuff we worked (for)," Wilson said in
the foyer of the Supreme Court minutes after the decision came down.
"It's a miracle.

"We already won, no matter what the results were, because
statistically, eight or nine people a year would have died through the
overdoses we've prevented (at Insite). Over eight years, that's 72
lives and that's a win. We won the day we opened that door."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the federal government is
"disappointed" with the decision.

"The preference of this government in dealing with drug crime is
obviously to prosecute those who sell drugs and create drug addiction
in our population and in our youth," Harper told reporters in Quebec
City.

He added that "when it comes to treating drug addiction to try and do
so though programs of prevention and treatment rather than through the
issues that were in front of this court in terms of socalled harm reduction."

When asked what the court ruling could mean for other jurisdictions
that are considering opening supervised injection sites, Harper said
it was "premature to speculate on consequences" of the decision.

"I'm not advocating them being popped up in any old (place) ... but I
don't think ideology should prevent it."

Haggie said with research indicating that lives are being saved as a
result of Insite's operation, he stressed that other supervised
injection sites could be justified elsewhere.

"We haven't seen (a national strategy) that works," Haggie said.
"(Insite) has made a difference. People are no longer dying in
(Vancouver's) Downtown Eastside.

"The problem in downtown Vancouver was that it was a public health
epidemic. There were 300 people, at least, dying each year from
overdoses. I think in those jurisdictions that have similar problems --
and I'm thinking perhaps in Montreal or maybe in Toronto -- there may
be a really good case to put a centre like that there, too."

Shortly after the decision was released Friday morning, Davies said
she felt "an incredible sense of relief and victory."

"It's always been about saving people's lives," she said. "It's always
been about a very important medical intervention to help people and
the relentless opposition from the Conservative government has been
just an incredible thing to take on."