Vancouver’s safe injection site has been a controversial subject in Ottawa since its inception in 2003. Recently it’s been facing a serious threat from the federal Conservative government, who view harm reduction as not being in line with their drug policy. On June 30, 2008 Insite had its exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act reviewed and despite the opposition was able to keep its doors open for addicts in Vancouver’s downtown eastside (B.C. Supreme Court decision). The federal health minister says he will appeal this decision, but with mounting evidence from health policy experts about Insite’s effectiveness of giving drug addicts clean needles and a sanitary place to use, it will continue to operate and reduce the spread of disease.
Adam Bemma is a journalist, humanitarian, and media consultant based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Adam Bemma 
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