BC Nurses disappointed with Harper Government's appeal of InSite ruling
Conservatives should drop moralistic policies on addiction and support successful health interventions
The BC Nurses' Union (BCNU) is disappointed with Federal Health Minister Tony Clement's announcement to appeal the BC Supreme Court's ruling on InSite to the Supreme Court of Canada. The government's decision to appeal Justice Ian Pitfield's ruling only reinforces a moralistic policy of ‘blame the addict'. Those in the grip of addictions need access to unconditional healthcare because their power of choice has been eroded.
On May 27 Justice Pitfield of BC's Supreme Court ruled that Canada's drug laws are unconstitutional because their effect is to deprive addicts of the right to healthcare and risks the security of their person. "Justice Pitfield made a balanced and temperate decision," said Debra McPherson, BCNU President. "The use of narcotics is bad for individuals and communities, we all know that. But once someone is addicted their ability to choose is eroded and their medical care becomes a community responsibility. The Conservative government's attempt to resolve addictions through criminal law has failed. They should get onboard with the people of Vancouver and make clinics like InSite a permanent part of Canadian healthcare."
InSite is currently operating under a waiver from the Federal government which was set to expire on June 30, 2008. Justice Pitfield's ruling set aside sections of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and allows InSite to remain open until the Federal Government rewrites the CDSA so it aligns with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
InSite is located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighborhood and is Canada's only supervised injection site for narcotics addicts. It operates on the medical principle of harm reduction. As addicts will use drugs until they are able to break their addiction, InSite provides medical supervision for injections, primary health services and addictions counseling and support. Supervised injection sites are proven to lessen the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases. This reduces strain on the public health system.
The BC Nurses' Union represents 26,000 Registered Nurses and allied healthcare workers in British Columbia, Canada. BCNU represents nursing staff operating InSite, promotes the expansion of harm reduction centres and a universal publically funded healthcare system for all Canadians.
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