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When you think of Heroin, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?Danger? Overdosing? Death? Jail time?
I'm sure most people in the United States, when thinking of ANY illegal drug, would think of these things. The ideas of safe injection sites and cannabis bars are unheard of in our country -- yet intravenous drugs and marijuana are among the most widely used illegal drugs in society today. And not just by the "bum on the corner".
Realistically, there is no way to force the end of illegal drug use in this country. It is ultimately the user's choice, and despite the consequences of the law, if your neighbor or best friend REALLY wants to try an illegal drug, chances are he or she will find a way to do it. Often times, it's simple curiosity and the thrill of doing something "wrong" or wanting to "fit in" that will draw them to the drug... but there is still that chance that the simple experimentation will lead to something more.
So then what happens, right?
The U.S. criminal justice system seems to think nothing more than, "What can we do to stop these addicts?" First time offenders, non-violent users, and relapses almost always result in jail time, probation, community service, and fines. But in the end... what does this kind of punishment do to help better the lives of the addicts involved or the communities and families affected?
Other countries seem to believe in alternative methods of dealing with the issue and ask themselves, "What can we do to help the people that are using the drugs?"
Three years ago, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and PHS Community Services Society partnered to open the first North American safe injection site known as Insite. As a three-year scientific research project, this safe room operates legally under an exemption granted by Health Canada and the Canadian Controlled Drug and Substances Act, which allows Insite to have illicit drugs in the facility for research purposes.
Now, I know what people must think. "A LEGAL INJECTION SITE?! You must be KIDDING!" But think about it.
Insite not only provides medical supervision, clean needles, and overdose response, but it also provides its visitors with referrals to addiction treatment and other health services. Sanitation is also heavily emphasized at the facility. Needles are immediately discarded and never shared which reduces the risk of blood-borne illnesses like HIV and hepatitis C in the users and their community. Proper skin cleansing and safer injection techniques are taught by the nursing staff and sanitation videos are shown to promote awareness of the risk of sharing dirty injection tools.
Out of 4,084 referrals made by Insite, 40% of them made it to addiction counseling and 368 to withdrawal management. Out of 453 overdose cases, not a single one resulted in death and in the last three years, 7,278 unique individuals have been registered at Insite's facility. In a city where over 12,000 people are injection drug users, these numbers cannot be ignored.
However, even with its apparent success, Insite's future is very much in doubt. The exemption that allows the project to operate legally is currently up for renewal pending the Candian government's review. Without the renewal, Insite's groundbreaking facility will be forced to close down in September of 2006, sending the thousands of drug users that have taken advantage of their services back to the streets and hotel rooms of Vancouver.
To learn more about Insite and how you can help keep this incredible program going, visit www.communityinsite.ca. Vancouver residents are encouraged to show their support of Insite by sending a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which you may do here. http://www.nooked.com/news/itemtrack...0c837ce8a57433 More...