ANSWER ASK

For some, it could be a moral dilemma but, for others, it could be a
matter of life or death.

The AIDS Society of Kamloops submitted a formal request Friday for a
city grant to fund a research project.

The society wants to study intravenous drug use in the city and to
determine whether a safe injection site would be worthwhile.

Kamloops is at the junction of the major highways in the province and,
because of this, has long had a history of attracting drug users. As
much as we don't approve of this lifestyle or the criminal spinoffs it
brings, it is a fact of life.

If the grant is approved and the study concludes there is enough
intravenous drug use to consider a safe injection site, the debate -
undoubtedly heated - will be on.

Noting there are no such sites in Canada and only experimental sites
in Europe, opponents will voice concerns about attracting drug users
if a safe injection site was allowed to operate in Kamloops.

On the other hand, proponents will argue the sites reduce the risks of
drug overdoses and the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as
HIV and hepatitis B and C.

We believe council should approve the grant because it would provide
valuable information but, in the end, the decision on approving the
project should be made by the electorate.