VIEW FROM OTTAWA

Ottawa -- Your paper has recently reported on the future of safe injection
sites in Canada. First, let me say that Health Canada is not promoting safe
injection sites. Rather, the department is putting in place a process by
which communities that choose to establish a safe-injection-site pilot
research project will be able to apply for the necessary authorizations or
exemptions under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act. The decision will
be made based on a number of criteria, including the support of key
stakeholders.

Currently, there are no proposals before Health Canada for review. The
department will be in a position to receive proposals from interested
communities by the end of the year. It will require about 60 days to review
a proposal.

With respect to funding, as we are at the preliminary stages, no decisions
have been taken. In fact, no formal discussions have taken place. This
issue will be discussed with the provinces and territories as we move forward.

Minister of Health