NEEDLE STORY MISSES POINT

To the editor:

Re: "Addicts injecting illegally but safely," Oct. 17.

Dr. Peter Centre's supervised injection service is not illegal. The
continuing reference by reporter Mike Howell to it being illegal
totally misses the point of my interview and the position of this
organization.

Dr. Peter Centre's registered nurses supervise injections in order to
prevent illness and promote health. It's part of meeting the standards
of practice set out by the College of Registered Nurses of British
Columbia. The Nurses Act requires an employer to provide a work
environment that supports registered nursing practice standards.
Failing to do so would be unlawful. A Section 56 exemption is not
necessary to provide these services within the law. Let's get the
story straight......the drugs may be illegal but the supervised
injection service is not.

Maxine Davis

Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation Editor's note: A spokesman for Health Canada said
the injection room is "illegal" because it doesn't have an exemption.