GROUP MAKES POINT FOR SAFE INJECTION SITES

Toronto needs safe injection sites to thwart crack and heroin addicts from
spreading disease through tainted needles, a local drug users advocacy
group claims.

The Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force wants Canada's largest city to follow
in the footsteps of Vancouver, whose drug-plagued downtown eastside
prompted this month's opening of the nation's first safe injection site.

Critics charge that such sites -- which typically provide junkies with
clean needles, medical supervision, and facilities in which to shoot up --
endorse drug abuse.

"It's really just about health issues," said Valerie Cartledge, one of 14
task force members hosting an injection site forum Monday at St. Paul's
church on Bloor St. E. "It's not about advocating drug use."

She should know. The 41-year-old shot heroin up to seven times a day for
nearly two decades, usually covering the $200-$500 habit by living with
drug-dealing men. When she finally decided to quit eight years ago, she had
to practically beg a local clinic for Methadone treatment.

POLICE OPPOSED

The task force says injection facilities will serve as a conduit to
treatment because medically trained supervisors will be able to build a
rapport with users, slowly coaxing them towards getting help. "The intent
of a needle site is to provide health care and to prevent the transmission
of sexually transmitted diseases among the mainly marginalized population
who use drugs," Cartledge said.

But not everyone is convinced.

"We are opposed to safe injection sites," said Toronto Police Sgt. Rob
Knapper. "The Chief has come out and said so, and Toronto Police Service is
against them. Our answer at this time is that we are opposed to them
completely."

Estimates by the Research Group on Drug Use peg Toronto's intravenous drug
user community at between 15,000 and 18,000 people.

Public Health officials couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.