Insite is the first legal supervised safe injection site in North America, located at 139 East Hastings Street, in the troubled Downtown Eastside neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. The site provides a clean, safe location for injection drug use, primarily heroin, cocaine, and morphine. Medical staff are present to provide addiction treatment, mental health assistance, and first aid in the event of an overdose or wound. Over a two year period ending March 31, 2006, the site recorded an average of 607 visits per day and 453 overdoses total, with none resulting in a fatality. Health Canada has provided $500,000 per year to operate the site, and the BC Ministry of Health contributed $1,200,000 to renovate the site and cover operating costs.
Insite is supported by the British Columbia Liberal Party, the City of Vancouver, and local communities. Those opposed to its operation include the Bush administration, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and has been criticized by the United Nations. The location will close on December 31, 2007, unless its mandate is extended by the Canadian federal government.
I'd like to hear some opinions on this, and all safe injection sites.
Insite is supported by the British Columbia Liberal Party, the City of Vancouver, and local communities. Those opposed to its operation include the Bush administration, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and has been criticized by the United Nations. The location will close on December 31, 2007, unless its mandate is extended by the Canadian federal government.
I'd like to hear some opinions on this, and all safe injection sites.