U.S. WANTED INSITE CLOSED: WIKI LEAKS

A diplomatic cable shows U.S. officials opposed the Insite supervised
injection site in Vancouver and wanted the federal and municipal
governments to shut it down.

The reference to Vancouver-based Insite is found in a U.S. Embassy
assessment of Canadian drug policy dated Nov. 2, 2009, and released
through Wikileaks.

The memo is generally favourable of the federal Conservative
government's efforts to clamp down on the production and distribution
of illicit drugs, including a national awareness campaign targeting
youth and parents.

"However, local and provincial authorities have embarked on a number
of so-called ' harm-reduction' programs," reads the cable, "including
a drug injection site and distribution of drug paraphernalia to
chronic users."

The document notes the federal government "continues to deliver a
sharp message" to cities and provinces about the programs, but called
for stronger action.

"Canada, or, as appropriate, municipalities such as Vancouver and
Ottawa, should implement the (International Narcotics Control Board's)
recommendations to eliminate drug injection sites and drug
paraphernalia distribution programs," the cable reads, "because they
violate international drug control treaties."

The INCB is an independent body established to monitor implementation
of UN international drug control conventions. It has been the subject
of some controversy for demanding rigid adherence to strict drug
control laws.

The Supreme Court of Canada on Friday overrode the federal
government's refusal to grant a permit extension to Insite, located in
Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. .

The U.S. Embassy said it did not have any comment on Friday's Supreme
Court decision.