CHAMBER SUPPORTS HARM REDUCTION

We would like to clarify a couple of misconceptions about the Greater
Victoria Chamber of Commerce's opposition to the proposed supervised
consumption site.

The chamber supports a harm-reduction strategy, which includes
housing, prevention, enforcement and treatment. While we do not
support supervised consumption sites, we support other parts of the
treatment component, including detox beds and withdrawal management.

We would like to see more focus on integrated enforcement and
treatment. This does not mean "larger jails."

When the courts are dealing with someone convicted of a property
crime committed to support a drug habit, they should be able to
"sentence" that person to detox treatment and withdrawal management,
if the individual agrees.

This is not done as there are not enough of those services available
and the two systems are not yet aligned. Consequently, we have a
revolving door of addictions and leading to property crime and back
again with police caught in the middle wondering why they bother
making arrests.

This integration of enforcement and treatment is a primary goal of the chamber.

We understand the claims that a site could reduce the spread of
hepatitis C and HIV and provide access to other medical services.
These are the same mandates of the needle exchange, which is already
woefully underfunded.

Why add another huge expense to a thinly sliced pie when services at
the table are still hungry?

Dr. Richard Stanwick has said that funding for mental health and
addictions has been frozen since 1992. With limited dollars, we
believe funds should be invested in detox beds, withdrawal
management, services for the mentally ill and the failing needle exchange.

The chamber supports new and innovative approaches providing they
benefit everyone in the community. The consumption site does not meet
that test, as the community will continue to be vandalized and robbed
to support the consumption.

Lindalee Brougham, chairwoman,

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.