RESEARCHERS GIVE UP ON HASTINGS SITE FOR FREE HEROIN EXPERIMENT

Researchers behind plans for a short-term trial where addicts would be given
free, prescribed heroin have abandoned an application to open a clinic at
659 East Hastings, after objections from neighbours.

Neighbours were concerned the proposed site was near a school and adjacent
to an alcohol and drug-free social housing project.

Dr. Martin Schechter, the principal investigator for the Vancouver portion
of the trial, which is also expected to run in Montreal and Toronto, said
the outcry convinced proponents that the site wasn't suitable. The
application was withdrawn Tuesday.

The goal of the study, known as the North American Opiate Medication
Initiative (NAOMI), is to determine whether pharmaceutical heroin improves
the health and quality of life of injection drug users, reduces homelessness
or reduces addicts' contact with the criminal justice system. Eighty-eight
participants would receive medically prescribed heroin for a year in the
trial, followed by three months of methadone or abstinence.

Schechter said the group is looking for another site in the Downtown
Eastside with the help of city staff. Researchers weren't able to talk about
their plans openly prior to the first site application because all the
federal approvals haven't been cleared, he said. Researchers need Health
Canada's go-ahead and an import licence to bring the drugs into the country.
But in order for the city to approve the location, notices had to be sent to
residents, which sparked the negative publicity.

"We were in a bit of a Catch 22, but now that we're speaking openly,
consultation can only help," said Schechter. "I'm encouraged [about the
trial going ahead] because even the most ardent opponents in the
neighbourhood weren't against the idea of the study but the location."

Joe Chaput, who lives near the original site proposed, agrees location was
the central issue. "I'm not against it. People have to try things to find
out if they work."

Charles Parker, president of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users,
supports the trial and plans to circulate a questionnaire in the Downtown
Eastside asking residents where they'd like to see the clinic situated. He
maintains such consultation will ensure residents are behind the project so
it isn't derailed.

Parker suggested the supervised injection site, which is already established
at 139 East Hastings, as a more appropriate location, but Schechter said
it's not large enough. Researchers need at least 3,000 square feet. They
also have much more stringent security requirements mandated by the federal
government.

Still Schechter's convinced a site will be found that's acceptable to
everyone. "Our purpose here is to try to deal with the very difficult
problem of addiction. We're not in the business of upsetting the community."