Public Forum on InSite and Harm Reduction

As you may know, the BC Supreme Court recently ruled that the application of Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in regards to InSite, Vancouver's Supervised Injection site is inconsistent with Section 7 of the Charter of Right and Freedoms, protecting life and security of the person. As a result, Justice Ian Pitfield's judgment grants InSite a permanent constitutional exemption from federal drug laws, allowing InSite to legally continue its life saving work. This was a unique court decision and has implications for communities across the country. Each community has its own drug problems to be dealt with in a unique manner, and this public forum will allow for discussion about these issues, as well as provide an opportunity to learn about other harm reduction initiatives around the world. Speakers will include Liz Evans, the founder and executive director of the Portland Hotel Society - the non-profit that operates Vancouver's supervised injection site, and Tony Trimingham, an Australian advocate for supervised injection sites whose own son died as the result of a drug overdose. Please RSVP to info@communityinsite.ca, as seating at these forums will be limited, and are expected to fill up quickly. If you are not in the Toronto area, please forward this invitation to anyone you know who does live close by. Thank you for your interest - we look forward to seeing you.