SAFE DOPING SOUGHT

Alliance MP Disagrees With Facilities

Safe-injection sites for heroin users could help save their lives,
according to a parliamentary committee that's pushing for them and
needle-exchange programs.

But an Alliance MP who vice-chaired the committee on non-medical drugs said
he doesn't favour the recommendation, adding it will only prolong the
addiction.

The Liberal-dominated panel is also looking at converting two prisons into
treatment centres for addicts serving time -- and is also expected to
recommend easing restrictions on marijuana possession this week.

B.C. Alliance MP Randy White said he was against the recommendation for
safe-injection sites."

"It's hard to get people into treatment -- but it's an awful lot harder to
get them into treatment when you're accommodating (the addiction)," said
the MP.

White, who visited similar facilities in Europe, described them as having
"nothing but human carnage.

"I didn't see the success of it, all I saw was the pain."

But local activists who were pushing for a site earlier this year said they
can reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and dangerous, accidental
overdoses -- and give addicts easy access to help when they want to quit.

Statistics from 2000 showed 44% of Alberta's new HIV cases were among
intravenous drug users.

White agrees users need help, but he said he favours giving them more
options to get it, rather than the sites.