Time to find new ways to fight drugs Final Edition

• Published in: The Gazette (Montreal)
• Main Author: THOMAS KERR, DARLENE E. PALMER and RALF JURGENS
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Montreal, Que Postmedia Network Inc 18.11.2003
• ISSN: 0384-1294

Last week, a Montreal cinema screened the documentary film FIX: The Story of an Addicted City, which documents the struggle to establish safe-injection facilities in Vancouver. Critics appearing in the film say that safe-injection facilities will only encourage drug use and attract users to the area. There are those who will advocate more, and perhaps even mandatory drug treatment for drug users. However, this position creates a false dichotomy between treatment and harm reduction. Certainly, the accessibility of a range of treatment services is essential, and has played a role in the curbing of drug-related harm in cities where safe-injection facilities have been established. In fact, safe-injection facilities represent only one of many elements designed to reduce harm related to the use of drugs. Recently, a project conducted by McGill researchers found that over 75 per cent of individuals who inject drugs in public places were willing to make the transition to using a safe-injection facility if one were available. Those willing to use a safe- injection facility were more likely to inject drugs frequently and to have had a non-fatal overdose.