Pubdate: Fri, 18 Sep 2015
Source: Simcoe Reformer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/letters
Website: http://simcoereformer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2386
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A4
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n503/a08.html

PUBLIC HEALTH VERSUS POLITICS

Re: Montreal to open injection sites even without federal approval, Sept. 4

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is to be commended for putting public 
health before drug war politics and opening safe injection sites. 
Conservative opposition to harm reduction has no basis in science. 
Safe injection sites have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV and 
prevent overdose deaths without increasing drug use. They also serve 
as a bridge to drug treatment for a hard to reach population. Drug 
users are not the only beneficiaries.

U. S. Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate that 57% of 
AIDS cases among women in the United States are linked to injection 
drug use or sex with partners who inject drugs. This preventable 
public health crisis is a direct result of zero tolerance laws that 
restrict access to clean syringes. Can Canada afford to emulate the 
harm maximization approach of the former land of the free and current 
record holder in citizens incarcerated?

Robert Sharpe

POLICY ANALYST COMMON SENSE FOR DRUG POLICY WASHINGTON, DC
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom