COUNCIL OKS NEW TACK IN WAR ON DRUGS

The city will go ahead with a controversial drug strategy that
includes a study of setting up safe injection sites for addicts.

Yesterday's 24-15 council vote also allows the city to expand
"harm-reduction outreach strategies," including the distribution of
safe crack-use kits -- pipes, screens and other items.

By approving the new drug strategy, council also came out in support
of seeing the federal government decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana.

Maureen Gilroy, of Citizens for a Better Toronto, called the result
"disgusting" and complained that syringes and other drug paraphernalia
obtained through harm-reduction initiatives are showing up in parks.
The Riverdale resident predicted it will only be a matter of time
before the city sets up a safe injection site.

Mayor's Dubious

"To take a look at the feasibility of it means we're going to have a
trial study which means it's going to be established," said Gilroy.
"We know that; it's going to happen."

Mayor David Miller has said it's unlikely safe injection sites will
ever see the light of day because they're best suited for heroin
addicts. Toronto is coping with a major crack cocaine problem.

Councillor Kyle Rae said the federal government, Queen's Park, council
and the police must all be in agreement before a safe injection site
is introduced to a Toronto neighbourhood.

"That's a pretty high standard that we'd have to meet -- the three
levels (of government) and the police all agreeing to it," said Rae.
"I think the fear-mongering is inappropriate; there would be a lot of
hurdles to go through before you'd get anywhere near the establishment
of a safe-injection site."

In addition to harm-reduction initiatives, the plan relies on
prevention, enforcement and treatment to tackle drug problems.