Critics say Respect for Communities Act a threat to Insite
Posted January 21, 2014 4:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – With the success of Vancouver’s safe injection site, other areas in the Lower Mainland and across the country are considering opening similar services. But as Ottawa goes forward with a proposed bill coined the Respect for Communities Act, opposition parties are concerned it will hinder openings of future safe injection sites–and threaten Insite.
Under Bill C-2, formerly BillC-65, potential safe injection sites face considerable community and expert consultations before getting final approval, including input from the surrounding community, police, doctors and local scientists. After this, the Health Minister still has to approve exemptions from the Controlled Drug and Substances Act before a safe injection site can open.
The Federal NDP calls it a potentially onerous and drawn out process. The Canadian Medical Association had this to say about the bill: “The CMA’s position is founded upon clinical evidence. Bill C-2, it would appear, is founded upon ideology that seeks to hinder initiatives to mitigate the very real challenges and great personal harm caused by drug abuse.”
Both the Federal NDP and Liberals claims the bill attempts to circumvent the 2011 Supreme Court of Canada ruling keeping Vancouver’s Insite open. Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Minister Eve Adams, who has been very vocal in supporting the bill, says that’s not the case.
“Bill C-2 follows up on that Supreme Court ruling which asked for different parameteres to be set. So I think it’s very reasonable to ask a community for their input on a location.”
When asked what areas will be allowed to host safe injection sites, Adams clarified, “this is simply an opportunity for the community to be consulted before a site goes in, and the Minister would take all information into consideration.” When asked whether the bill unfairly stigmatizes drug users, Adams says that’s not the intention.
Critics are expressing their concern Insite will be at risk of closure under the bill, as it’s will need re-approval when it’s exemption from the Controlled Drug and Substances Act expires in March.
Insite is the only existing harm-reduction facility in the country where drug users are supervised by nurses, counsellors and support staff.
