INSITE RULING SPECIFIC

Re "What have judges been smoking?" (Editorial, Oct. 4): The Supreme
Court decision did not "legalize shooting galleries for junkies." The
ruling was very narrow and only applies to InSite. Other sites will
need to apply for section 56 exemptions from the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, and provide evidence to Health Canada that they have
secured sufficient funding, will not cause crime or reduce public
safety, have the approval of provincial and local health authorities
and are supported by the community and local business owners. Try
opening a new bar or nightclub under those conditions. The minister
of health is still free to deny exemptions. The only difference is
that he or she must now base their decisions to grant or deny
exemptions on evidence and reality, rather than ideology and politics.

Matthew Elrod

Victoria, B.C.

(Oh, there's plenty of ideology and politics at play here, on all sides)