YEAH!!!!!! "Vancouver's safe injection site cuts overdose deaths"

**SageTree** · 04-20-2011, 06:46 AM

Good shit.
As a matter of story, I used to pick up the recycling from this place.
Empty syringe cardboard boxes and pop cans

Never got to go inside because of confidentiality, but from the front I gotta say, the people who the average Joe wouldn't consider as a user of the services there might be mighty surprised at the neckties and briefcases they see passing in and out the door on the lunch hour.

Vancouver's safe injection site cuts overdose deaths
ANDRÉ PICARD — PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTER
Vancouver— From Monday's Globe and Mail

Quote:

The number of drug-overdose deaths on Vancouver’s notorious downtown Eastside fell sharply after the opening of a safe injection site, new research shows.

The study, published online Monday in the medical journal The Lancet, shows that fatal overdoses dropped 35 per cent in the vicinity of Insite in the two years after it opened. By comparison, OD deaths dropped only 9 per cent in the rest of Vancouver in that same period.

“No one has ever been able to demonstrate a substantial reduction in overdose deaths due to the presence of a safe injection site, but we have done so,” Thomas Kerr of the Urban Health Research Initiative at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver said in an interview.

Until now, research has shown that Insite reduces behaviours that lead to deadly infections like HIV and hepatitis C, and it reduces public disorder by getting intravenous drug use off the streets.

But the federal government has argued that the evidence of benefit is unclear and tried to shut down Insite.

This has lead to a protracted legal battle – one that has become an important jurisdictional struggle between the provincial and federal governments. Both the B.C. Liberals and New Democrats support Insite and the program has the strong backing of the provincial health officer.

In January of 2010, the B.C. Court of Appeal decided 2-1 that the province has jurisdiction over the facility since it provides IV drug users with a health-care service, which is within provincial jurisdiction.

Its ruling upheld a 2008 trial decision by the B.C. Supreme Court, which found that the application of the federal drug law would violate IV drug users’ Charter rights to life, liberty and security of the person.

The case will be heard in the Supreme Court of Canada on May 12.

“The Conservatives can no longer go around saying the evidence is unclear because the evidence is clear – Insite saves lives,” Dr. Kerr said.

The new study, which examined coroners’ reports, shows that between 2001 and 2005, there were 290 overdose deaths in Vancouver.

Eighty-nine of those deaths occurred within a 500-metre radius of Insite, which is located in the heart of Vancouver’s skid row.

The safe-injection facility opened on Sept. 20, 2003, when the Liberal government was in power. Nurses can supervise IV drug users because the facility was specifically exempted from federal drug possession and trafficking laws. The Conservatives oppose this approach, saying it flies in the face of their anti-drug strategy.

In the two years prior to the opening, there were 56 OD deaths in the neighbourhood; in the two years subsequent, there were 33.

There have been more than 2,000 overdoses at the facility but not a single death. Insite provides booths, along with clean syringes, where intravenous users can inject. Nurses can also revive users who OD – which happens frequently because the purity of street drugs is unpredictable.

The authors argue that having overdoses occur in a controlled setting is much more cost-effective because it takes pressure off the health system.

“The nurse saved my life when I ODed,” said Gary Kyle, who has been an IV drug user on-and-off since 1977. By contrast, he once overdosed on the street, which required the intervention of paramedics, a visit to emergency and hospitalization.

“I’ve shot up in an alley, in the McDonald’s bathroom, the library, you name it. When I do it in public, I’m rushed and careless. At Insite, it’s safer,” Mr. Kyle said.

Conservative Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, a long-time supporter of Insite, said he was reluctant to speak during a federal election campaign, but the new evidence is clear.

“Public health programs like this need to be evidence-based, not politically driven,” he said. “And the new evidence proves that it works, that Insite reduces overdoses,” he said.

An earlier study, by the same group of researchers, found that there were more than 900 overdose deaths in British Columbia between 2001 and 2005, and that aboriginal people were disproportionately at risk. About 12 per cent of the OD deaths involved first nations people, who make up less than 4 per cent of the province’s population.

Nice timing for the Conservative Gov't to take notice of this..... FINALLY!!!
In-Site has been pumping out healthy numbers for a long time, good they are getting some good press, who ever is running the show though.

Keepin' it about the health and not the 'crime'.
Helping people at least keep a clean 'band-aid' on the wound.
Preventing the spread of infectious diseases, a set of stats on it's own, and not adding insult to injury.

Now it's time for some stats about how people who use services like this are able to increase the likely hood of quitting or using less, if they so choose.

Maybe that's the world for it.

In-Site offers people a choice and respects where they are at, not judging.

To Our-All Health,
SageTree

Captain Cannabis · 04-20-2011, 12:56 PM

and they will be crushed by our conservative overlords

but seriously, this has always been an excellent program.

**SageTree** · 04-20-2011, 01:07 PM

Not to turn this overly political....

But seriously.... wtf.....?

Are the CONservatives going to get voted in again....

?

The whole times they've been crying for evidence for In-Site, now they have it and hope they , whoever it ends up being, does something good with it, and makes it better than it already is even.

Captain Cannabis · 04-20-2011, 01:50 PM

they had good results from the first three years of operation, which was immediately followed by an order to close it (if i recall the events correctly). anyone who has been to that neighbourhood can see that it is awesome and definitely performed beyond anyone's grandest projections.

Captain Cannabis · 04-20-2011, 01:52 PM

Liz Evans: The Harper government is ignoring the evidence about Insite - Full Comment

The Harper government and the Insite flim-flam - Inkless Wells - Macleans.ca

Federal government's appeal against Insite moves ahead | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

**SageTree** · 04-20-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Cannabis

they had good results from the first three years of operation, which was immediately followed by an order to close it (if i recall the events correctly). anyone who has been to that neighbourhood can see that it is awesome and definitely performed beyond anyone's grandest projections.

I agree with that all 100% and your recollections about the early positive results being followed by a shut down order are correct.

It just isn't right man

Captain Cannabis · 04-20-2011, 02:07 PM

i don't really understand how "tough on crime" policies are so popular. the conservatives preach an obvious moronic attempt to emulate american policies, when it has been clearly established that these policies do not work and will never work. nobody is going to stand up and say how great of a success they were in america, because at this point even the supporters can see it is a dismal failure.

i am sorry to turn this thread political, but it seems that this issue is not at all separate from politics, though the government has made a commendable effort to separate it from science.

DdC · 04-23-2011, 02:43 PM

It's doesn't seem fair because it isn't. It doesn't seem like politics because it isn't. Of coarse it's a success. Can't let that get out of hand. It's an airplane movie. They were about to land and the ground control tower orderly ask the Captain if he should turn on the runway lights. Captain says no, thats what they'll be expecting. Everything you think is waste, is profit to someone else. Everything you think cures or prevents, takes away treatment profits. Whenever a government makes bogus laws its always for profit or war protecting profit. The Ganjawar makes money too may ways to let reality grow roots. They needs the suffering and misery to sell the perpetuation. Never win or lose, just keep playing the game. Another 100 years. Several more trillion dollars. Everyday millions do white powders legally prescribed or illicitly, without insodent. Some have a good time, others maintain their addiction and function without much notice. Maybe not all lines of work, Heroin deficiency treated the same as Diabetics. The entire Drug War, mostly keeping Ganja and Hemp off the trade market. Is another for profit tool of Imperialism. Like the "F" word, most believe we cured it and it can't ever happen here. My! my! my! like a spider to a fly. Jump right ahead in my web!

Ours has been in operation almost 20 years. It isn't about reality, it's about profits. Junkies make snitches and statistics when they OD. Snitches make up 80% of the busts. So needle exchanges not only provides them with sterile equipment. It provides them a place to make contacts with a door to kicking if they choose. Better than nothing. Ours has been in operation since the 90's. The cops finally got the message and leave them alone. HIV and Hep are being dealt with, unlike when republicans try to run things. You don't have to be a weatherman to see which way the wind blows.

IBOGAINE
CAN IT CURE ADDICTION WITHOUT THE HALLUCINOGENIC TRIP?

Shock the Junkie: Ibogaine is the Anti-Drug of the Moment

Ayahuasca to Treat/Cure Addiction?

Ayahuasca Tourism in South America

Sterile Syringes Prevent Spreading Disease… Duh!

Religious Leaders Urge Congress to Expand Access to Clean Needles for Drug Users
by David Guard, February 29, 2008, 02:37pm
Recently Congress lifted a ban on local funding for needle exchange in the District of Columbia. Now scholars and spokespersons from a variety of denominations will converge in the nation’s capital to urge Congress to help save lives by repealing the national ban that prohibits states from using their share of federal HIV/AIDS prevention money on needle exchange programs.
* Capitol Hill Reception Celebrating the Lifting of the DC Syringe Exchange Funding Ban
* Harm Reduction: San Antonio Police Arrest Needle Exchangers, DA Ups the Ante
* Harm Reduction: DC Quick to Move After Congress Lifts Needle Exchange Funding Ban
* If You Oppose Harm Reduction, You Support AIDS and Death
* PreventionWorks! Selects New Executive Director To Advance Agency As A HIV Continuum Of Care Service Provider
* New Jersey's First Legal Needle Exchange Is Open
* Needle Exchange Action May Be Imminent
* Hillary Clinton Pledges Support for Needle Exchange

US IA: Spirit of Marycrest Award Goes to AIDS Activist

Beth Wehrman, 1952 – 2008, A Life Well Lived

White House moves to fund needle exchanges as drug treatment

Value of needle exchanges accepted by U.S. government

YouTube - The Spider and the Fly ;:; The Rolling Stones (with lyrics)

04-20-2011, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis safety word: more Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: m.i.a. Posts: 13,922 Thanks: 2,705 Thanked 3,174 Times in 1,812 Posts	and they will be crushed by our conservative overlords but seriously, this has always been an excellent program. __________________ fuck the monkeys

04-20-2011, 01:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	Not to turn this overly political.... But seriously.... wtf.....? Are the CONservatives going to get voted in again....? The whole times they've been crying for evidence for In-Site, now they have it and hope they , whoever it ends up being, does something good with it, and makes it better than it already is even. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

04-20-2011, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis safety word: more Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: m.i.a. Posts: 13,922 Thanks: 2,705 Thanked 3,174 Times in 1,812 Posts	they had good results from the first three years of operation, which was immediately followed by an order to close it (if i recall the events correctly). anyone who has been to that neighbourhood can see that it is awesome and definitely performed beyond anyone's grandest projections. __________________ fuck the monkeys

04-20-2011, 01:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis safety word: more Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: m.i.a. Posts: 13,922 Thanks: 2,705 Thanked 3,174 Times in 1,812 Posts	Liz Evans: The Harper government is ignoring the evidence about Insite - Full Comment The Harper government and the Insite flim-flam - Inkless Wells - Macleans.ca Federal government's appeal against Insite moves ahead \| Vancouver, Canada \| Straight.com __________________ fuck the monkeys

04-20-2011, 02:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis safety word: more Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: m.i.a. Posts: 13,922 Thanks: 2,705 Thanked 3,174 Times in 1,812 Posts	i don't really understand how "tough on crime" policies are so popular. the conservatives preach an obvious moronic attempt to emulate american policies, when it has been clearly established that these policies do not work and will never work. nobody is going to stand up and say how great of a success they were in america, because at this point even the supporters can see it is a dismal failure. i am sorry to turn this thread political, but it seems that this issue is not at all separate from politics, though the government has made a commendable effort to separate it from science. __________________ fuck the monkeys

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