NEW! If you don't understand one of the words in this article,
just double-click it.
A window will open with a definition from CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary. If the double-click feature
doesn't work in your browser, you can enter the word below:
Have news about HIV? Send press releases, news tips and other announcements to news@poz.com.
May 30, 2008
Safe-Injection Site to Stay Open
North America’s only location where addicts can inject themselves with illegal drugs under medical supervision to prevent transmission of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses—will remain open, thanks to a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling on May 27, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports (yahoo.com, 5/26).
The downtown Vancouver safe-injection facility, called InSite, was established in 2003 under Canada’s previous government but has been under fire from the country’s current conservative leadership for what it views as encouraging drug use. Though it had previously been excused from Canadian drug-trafficking and possession laws, its exemption was set to expire on June 30, which would have forced the facility to close.
Justice Ian Pitfield’s decision this week allows InSite to remain operational until June 2009 and may pave the way for similar facilities throughout Canada.
