Neighbourhood improved by safe injection site: report (CBC)

Neighbourhood improved by safe injection site: report
WebPosted Sep 27 2004 03:53 PM PDT

CBC

VANCOUVER - Vancouver's supervised drug injection site is making the Downtown Eastside a better place to live, says a new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The researchers say they found an improvement in public order in the area since the safe injection site was opened more than a year ago.

"This is a major question around safe injection facilities," says spokesperson Thomas Kerr. "Many people were concerned they would actually increase public disorder."

Kerr says the improvement is likely due to the high number of people injecting themselves inside the facility rather than outside on the streets of the hard-pressed neighbourhood.

The researchers say they also found far fewer discarded syringes and wrappers within 10 blocks of the site.

More than 500 addicts use the clinic every day.

The researchers also identified other good news for the neighbourhood. There had been concern the injection site would attract more drug dealers to the area. But that apparently hasn't happened.

The study covered an 18-week period – from six weeks before the safe injection site opened in September 2003 to 12 weeks after the opening.

LINK: CMAJ report