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Vancouver adopted a public health
approach that included opening a supervised drug injection site (Insite) in
2003. Dr. Thomas Kerr, co-author of the report and co-director of the Centre’s
Urban Health Research Initiative, stated that the percentage of drug users
sharing needles had declined from 40 percent in 1996 to 1.7 percent in 2011,
which resulted in lower incidence of HIV and hepatitis C due to sharing
needles. About one quarter of Vancouver drug users were HIV-infected;
approximately 90 percent had hepatitis C. Data also indicated that more drug
users were taking advantage of addiction treatment programs; only 12 percent of
users were on methadone in 1996 compared to 54.5 percent in 2008. Although the
report found less drug use in the community, illegal drugs are still widely
available in Vancouver, and mortality among drug users remains eight times
higher than the general population.
Opponents include Canada’s
Conservative party—currently in power—and several policing associations.
Preferring a US-style “war on drugs,” the federal government introduced the
“Respect for Communities Act,” which would require supervised injection sites
to consult with community, law enforcement, provincial, and municipal
authorities before opening. Although the Supreme Court of Canada has ordered
that Insite remain open, the legislation might prevent the establishment of
similar sites.
The Centre does not support
legalization of illicit drugs.
The Full Report, “Drug Situation in
Vancouver,” was published online by the British Columbia Centre for Excellence
in HIV/AIDS at http://uhri.cfenet.ubc.ca/images/Documents/dsiv2013.pdf.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
