'HARM REDUCTION' NOT IN CITY'S ADDICT ARSENAL

Safe injection sites, methadone clinics and needle exchange facilities are
not the best ways to tackle drug addiction in Abbotsford, according to city
councillors.

Councillors unanimously agreed Monday to press forward with a staff
recommendation that would remove "harm reduction" from the city's arsenal
when it comes to assisting addicts.

However, the proposed amendments to the Abbotsford zoning bylaw still have
to go to a future public hearing.

"This sends out a clear message that (harm reduction) is not an acceptable
way of targeting drug abuse in Abbotsford," said Coun. Simon Gibson at
Monday's meeting.

Council had already voted to pull harm reduction from its mandate, and
supported a staff recommendation - that stemmed from a bylaw review
committee endorsement on March 21 this year - to make its stance official.

Instead, the city intends to focus more on detox and treatment.

Under the proposed bylaw, no safe injection sites, methadone dispensing
centres, mobile dispensing facilities, needle exchanges, or marijuana
production/distribution for medical purposes will be permitted in Abbotsford.

Development services director Grant Acheson, the author of the report sent
to council, pointed out this position may clash with that taken by the
provincial and federal governments.

For example, he said the Fraser Health Authority may include some harm
reduction services at Abbotsford's hospital, while Ottawa may authorize
marijuana grow-ops under Health Canada's Marijuana Medical Access Regulations.

As of press deadline, it had not been confirmed whether the issue will make
it onto the agenda for this Monday's public hearing, which starts at 7 p.m.
in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.