Safer Injection Sites

Vancouver's InSite (BCCHA)

Report Calls for Safe Injection Sites in Toronto, Ottawa

A long-awaited study has recommended supervised drug injection sites in Toronto and Ottawa, but that's just the first step in what looks to be a long and contentious process.

heroin injection, using tourniquet (wikipedia.org)

New Mexico Legislature to Study Supervised Injection Sites [FEATURE]

The New Mexico legislature has commissioned a study of emerging and evidence-based harm reduction practices, including supervised injection sites. That could lead the way to a pilot program there. There is also agitation for SIJs in San Francisco and New York City.

A client prepares to fix at Vancouver's Insite safe injection site. (Image: Insite)

Montreal Agency Calls for Four Safe Injection Sites

Montreal wants four safe injection sites for hard drug users. The city's public health agency and mayor have given the okay, but now they need provincial funding and federal approval.

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New Canadian Drug Reform Coalition Emerges [FEATURE]

Even as the Canadian federal government presses ahead with its draconian crime and drugs bill, a new coalition for Canadian drug reform has emerged.

Vancouver's safe injection site wins a reprieve. (Image: Vancouver Coastal Health)

Canada Supreme Court Okays Safe Injection Site [FEATURE]

In a landmark decision, the Canadian Supreme Court has blocked the Canadian government from shutting down the country's only safe injection site.

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Chronicle Book Review: Drugs and Drug Policy

A trio of academic experts have come up with a drug policy book you're going to want to read, even if only to argue with it. Especially to argue with it.

Insite Activist Threatens Civil Disobedience

If the federal government seeks to permanently shutter Insite, Vancouverites can anticipate a loud and unrelenting outcry from advocates, health care professionals and drug users who support the Downtown Eastside supervised injection site. Closing Insite, "will be seen as a personal affront to the city of Vancouver," said Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users activist Dean Wilson, noting residents in this city, including Mayor Gregor Robertson and at least four former mayors, are generally in favor of harm reduction drug treatment that includes supervised injection.

Melbourne, Australia Council Votes Yes to Supervised Drug Injecting Room

An inner city council in Melbourne has voted almost unanimously in favor of trialing injecting rooms to deal with what's been described as a war zone where brazen drug deals are an everyday occurrence due to prohibition.

Vancouver's Insite safe injection site on East Hastings Street (Image courtesy Vancouver Coastal Health)

Vancouver Safe Injection Site Saves Lives, Report Finds

A new study of Vancouver drug overdoses shows they have decreased dramatically in the Downtown Eastside since a safe injection site opened there.

Proof of Insite's Value in the Numbers, Fatal Overdoses in Vancouver Have Been Reduced 35 Percent

With a Supreme Court of Canada case looming this summer that could decide its future, Vancouver's safe-injection drug site has received an extra shot in the arm from a new report that says it has helped reduce the number of fatal overdoses in the city by 35 per cent. The report, compiled by Canadian scientists from the Urban Health Research Initiative, the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and St. Paul's Hospital, goes on to argue that Vancouver's Insite - the country's first safe-injection facility - should be replicated in other North American cities where drug use is a common problem.

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