Supporters of Vancouver's safe injection site are celebrating victory today at BC's highest court

"The B-C Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal from the federal government which is trying to shutdown Insite. When the decision was announced, the packed courtroom erupted in applause. Supporters are holding a news conference this hour on the steps of the courthouse. They say today's decision actually strengthens their position.  The ruling means the site can stay open without permission from Health Canada."

http://supervisedinjection.vch.ca/

Vancouver has adopted a Four Pillars Drug Strategy to reduce drug related harm in the Downtown Eastside. Harm reduction is featured as one of these four pillars, with the other three including prevention, treatment, and enforcement.

Despite having several positive benefits arguments have been made against Insite. In particular, the RCMP have released a report (in late 2006) voicing their stance against Insite and the harm reduction model: “[T]here is considerable evidence to show that when the perceived risks associated to drug use decreases, there is a corresponding increase in the number of people using drugs.”  The report also claims that harm reduction efforts “”by themselves lead to a never-ending cycle of drug use.”

This is a complicated issue but I feel one has to use common sense; why are we allowing people to legally allow themselves to inject themselves with illegal drugs.  I know the arguments of safety, health, and that it allows for an opportunity to educate, and perhaps wean them off of drugs.  I don't buy it; we should make it difficult to purchase, punish the dealers more severely, and do everything possible to discourage the use of illegal drugs.  Here, with these safe injection sites, I believe we do just the opposite.