Insite, Ottawa and Monsters Under The Bed

"Mommy?"
"Yes dear, it's late. What is wrong?"
"I can't sleep, there is a monster under my bed".
"Go to sleep Tony, it isn't a monster, it's name is Insite."
"Mommy, I don't like Insite, it goes against my conservative values and will really interfere with any chance of the Tories getting re-elected if it is allowed to stay under my bed."
"Well, that is why you should close your eyes and wish it away. It always works for Uncle Stephen"

As I write this blog, (by-the-way thanks for putting up with my little narrative) Federal Health Minister, Tony Clement is behind closed doors in Ottawa trying to figure out a way to kill Insite.

For those of you who need a little refresh on Insite...

Insite is North America's only legally supervised injection site.

Insite opened it's doors September, 2003 (Under the Chretien government) and got and extension which ends this year on June 30th.

"To operate legally, Health Canada granted VCH a three-year operating exemption under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and has provided $500,000 per year to support the scientific research pilot project. The BC Ministry of Health provided $1.2 million to renovate the former retail space, and provides operating funding through Vancouver Coastal Health." - Vancouver Coastal Health's Website
The extension was contingent on a range of criteria.

Reducing public injections
Reducing overdose fatalities
Reducing the transmission of blood-borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis C
Reducing injection-related infections
Improving public order

It has succeeded well beyond expectations. It is estimated that over 12,000 injection drug users are living in Vancouver and about 4,000 of those people are living in the Downtown Eastside. 9 out of 10 users have Hepatitis C and 3 in 10 are HIV positive. That is a rate 38 times the provincial average. Overdose deaths are 14 times that of B.C. residents. Since it's inception, there has not been one fatality at Insite.

So, that sounds like a good reason to shut the thing down, wouldn't you say? Let's face it, as conservative goes... There is "I don't like loud music" conservative and then there is Stephen Harper conservative. This has been a thorn in his side since day one. So imagine his joy when... Tuesday, May 27th. Supreme Court Justice, Ian Pitfield ruled that the closing of Insite is "unconstitutional".
"While there is nothing to be said in favour of the injection of controlled substances that leads to addiction, there is much to be said against denying addicts health care services that will ameliorate the effects of their condition,"

Having said that, he gave Mr. Harper and Tony Clement an "out"... They have until June 30th, 2009 to fix the law. Something tells me it will be sometime before that...

SAVE INSITE
www.communityinsite.ca
Mr. Harper's email - pm@pm.gc.ca

Mr. Clement's contact info

Toll Free

1-866-375-TONY (8669)

Constituency Address
202 Main Street West
Huntsville, ON
P1H 1X9
Phone: 705-789-4640
Fax: 705-789-8857
Email: Clemet1@parl.gc.ca

Parry Sound Constituency Office:
17 James Street
Parry Sound, ON
P2A 1T4
Phone: (705) 746-9053
Fax: (705) 746-7290
Email: Clemet2@parl.gc.ca

Ottawa Address:
278 Confederation Building
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-944-7740
Fax: 613-992-5092
Email: Clement.T@parl.gc.ca

Sundridge Office Address:
110 Main St.
Box 129
Sundridge ON
P0A 1Z0
Email: Clemet1@parl.gc.ca

To contact Tony Clement, Minister of Health please write to:

The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Health
Minister's Office - Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0K9
Email: Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca

Media Inquiries
Health Canada - Media Inquiries
Laryssa Waler, Press Secretary
(613) 957-0200

Local FedNor office contact:
Parry Sound
74 James St
Parry Sound ON
P2A 1T8
Fax: (705) 746-4734
Toll Free: 1-877-333-6673