MAYOR TALKS SAFE-INJECTION SITES

Kamloops Mayor Mel Rothenburger believes it's high time the city at
least discussed the options for a safe injection site.

"It's a struggle, it's a battle to control drug abuse and the related
issues and we aren't winning.

"If we establish a safe injection site and decided it would have a
positive impact on drug abuse problems, why would we not do it?"

The topic of establishing a safe injection site arose about a year ago
when Vancouver was in the process of developing a site to deal with
intravenous drug use in the notorious Downtown Eastside.

In the last six months since the site has been open, reports indicate
the presence of the clinic has saved the lives of 72 drug users in 107
incidents.

AIDS Society of Kamloops executive director Jo Rothenburger said the
time to debate the merits of a safe injection site is now.

"I sense we are mature enough as a community that we can have that
debate now and set aside some of the emotional aspects of the debate,"
the mayor said.

"I think we should explore various solutions to HIV/AIDS and drug
abuse issues, whatever those solutions might be. We have to get down
to practical solutions," he added.