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Alias
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject: Vancouver's safe injection site |
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Looks like the Conservative government may cut funding to the site for "moral" reasons. 
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Called Insite, Vancouver's safe-injection site has operated for the past three years under an exemption to the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Staff at the site provide clean needles and counselling to intravenous drug users in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, which has some of the highest HIV and hepatitis C infection rates in the world. Staff are also trained to deal with overdoses.
The site's exemption is set to expire Sept. 12 and the government hasn't announced whether it intends to extend the exemption.
Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham said he would "strongly encourage" the government to renew the program's mandate.
"There is a model in Vancouver that has been working. The statistics are there," said Graham, who said the mayor and police in Vancouver believe in the program.
Liberal MP Keith Martin, who appeared at the news conference with Graham, called the government's postponement of an announcement "unconscionable."
"It shows a complete lack of respect for this disease and for the people who suffer from it and for the people who work in it," he said. "The government has been missing here. They've showed no presence, no plan, no money."
Government studying issue
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is visiting the North, told reporters Wednesday that the government has not yet made its decision on the program.
"We are undertaking some evaluations, but this government's concentration in the fight against drugs in the next few years will be on enforcement, prevention and treatment," he said.
"Unfortunately, the issue has been so politicized this week that this is probably not the time for us to make additional announcements."
Harper has in the past voiced his opposition to the program.
During an election stop in B.C. last December, Harper said "We as a government will not use taxpayers' money to fund drug use."
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http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/08/17/safe-injection.html |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't doubt that the needle exchange is an effective means of preventing disease. However, I have to admit that I do have a problem with the government saying on the one hand that an activity is so bad that it should be illegal, and on the other hand assisting people in performing that activity. If the government wants to enrure that drug users have clean needles, they should legalize the drugs in question, and cut out the hypocrisy. |
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canuckistan
Mod Team
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Location: Training future GS competitors.....
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| On the other hand wrote: |
| I don't doubt that the needle exchange is an effective means of preventing disease. However, I have to admit that I do have a problem with the government saying on the one hand that an activity is so bad that it should be illegal, and on the other hand assisting people in performing that activity. If the government wants to enrure that drug users have clean needles, they should legalize the drugs in question, and cut out the hypocrisy. |
They should treat drug addiction as a health problem, not a problem of criminality. |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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On the other hand wrote:
I don't doubt that the needle exchange is an effective means of preventing disease. However, I have to admit that I do have a problem with the government saying on the one hand that an activity is so bad that it should be illegal, and on the other hand assisting people in performing that activity. If the government wants to enrure that drug users have clean needles, they should legalize the drugs in question, and cut out the hypocrisy.
They should treat drug addiction as a health problem, not a problem of criminality.
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That's what I'm saying. But the situation right now, with the needle exchanges, is that the government is saying drug users are criminals who deserve punishment, while at the same time saying that they should be assisted in indulging their habit. Society needs to decide exactly how they view drug use, but I don't think people are really prepared to face the question. |
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canuckistan
Mod Team
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Location: Training future GS competitors.....
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| On the other hand wrote: |
| Quote: |
On the other hand wrote:
I don't doubt that the needle exchange is an effective means of preventing disease. However, I have to admit that I do have a problem with the government saying on the one hand that an activity is so bad that it should be illegal, and on the other hand assisting people in performing that activity. If the government wants to enrure that drug users have clean needles, they should legalize the drugs in question, and cut out the hypocrisy.
They should treat drug addiction as a health problem, not a problem of criminality.
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That's what I'm saying. But the situation right now, with the needle exchanges, is that the government is saying drug users are criminals who deserve punishment, while at the same time saying that they should be assisted in indulging their habit. Society needs to decide exactly how they view drug use, but I don't think people are really prepared to face the question. |
That would take an enlightened way of thinking--something which has never been the hallmark of conservatives. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| They're far too busy pretending that Aids isn't a problem to be bothered about drug laws. |
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