WHITE QUESTIONS ROCK'S SAFE INJECTION SITE PLAN

Langley-Abbotsford MP Randy White is questioning federal Health Minister
Allan Rock's plan to fund safe injection sites instead of medium and long
term rehabilitation.

White, vice-chair of the parliamentary committee on non-medical use of
drugs, said the plan is "irresponsible" and pre-empts the work of the
committee.

"When it comes to safe injection sites, the minister is willing to offer
money up before anyone even asks for it," said White.

"But when it comes to putting money toward a rehab centre that would have
taken hundreds of young women off the streets, the answer is always no. Why
are his pet projects taking priority?"

Rock said he will fund safe injection sites for anyone who asks, said
White. "The next thing Abbotsford will have a federal shoot-up site and
nowhere to rehabilitate," he predicted.

The cost to set up a Vancouver safe-injection site is anticipated to be
over $1 million. Rock is willing to create new exemptions that would make
it legally possible for drug addicts to use their drugs at these sites,
said White.

"Allan Rock's concept of harm reduction should be known nationally as harm
extension," said White. "I know of no mother or father in Canada who would
think the Minister or the Liberal government are on the right track when
they offer money for safe injection sites, instead of for detox centres
that can help their children with a drug addiction."

Rock is pushing to fund a national drug strategy in the spring federal
budget, said White, so funds will be available for other projects the
health ministry deems worthy of funding.

All these projects would begin to receive funding before the parliamentary
drug committee completes its final report in a year.