INSITE: SO FAR, SO GOOD

Injection Site Improves Public Health And Links Addicts With Treatment, VCH

Two years after its launch, Insite, Vancouver's supervised injection
site, is being called a success by Vancouver Coastal Health.

In September, VCH announced in a press release, "More evidence is
emerging that Insite is improving public health, reducing risk of HIV
and Hepatitis C infection, and linking clients with treatment services."

"When we first started this site, there were no goals or preconceived
notions," said Vivianna Zanocco, a spokesperson for VCH. "We wanted
to go into this with an open mind. This is a research project."

There were misconceptions and misinformation when the site first
opened, Zanocco said.

"People thought that we are enabling and even promoting drug
addictions. Opposition to the site has since decreased."

This is due in part to stories such as the run-away boy who went to
use the site. "Our staff and manager talked with him for a long time.
Two days later, his mom called and said he went home," Zanocco said.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a study this year,
that found Insite also reduced the number of drug users injecting in public.

This is considered an improvement for residents and business owners
in Vancouver's Eastside.

"We're glad that Insite is cutting down public shooting and making
the area cleaner, but the most important thing for VCH is the health
outcome of the clients," Zanocco said.

Downtown Eastside resident, Tim Collin, stood outside the injection
site on Friday selling his bike for drugs. He has used the site over
200 times since it first opened in September 2003 and it has saved his life.

"How has this site helped me?" he said. "I am still alive aren't I? I
have been overdosed so many times that if I wasn't here I would have died."

He added VCH estimates a drug addict uses the site around 11 times a month.

During the interview Collin managed to sell his bike to another man
for a dose of heroin the size of a teaspoon before he entered Insite.

Drug overdose is considered by VCH to be one of the major causes of
death among drug users but VCH noted in a one-year period, 197
overdoses happened on site without anyone dying.

Anurag Saini, a Langara College student, agreed Insite is successful.
He is working on a school project evaluating the injection site and
said the results are very promising.

"Insite has reduced the death rate and infection rate among drug users."

Similar versions of Insite are being discussed in Toronto and New
York. Vancouver is the only city in North America with a government
sanctioned supervised injection facility. In September 2006, the
federal government will decide the future of the site.