Conservatives Ignore the Law and Science to Try to Shut Down InSite

-----Original Message-----
From: Libby Davies [mailto:daviel@parl.gc.ca]
Sent: 10 February, 2010 2:29 PM
To: daviel@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Press Release

For Immediate Release
FEBRUARY 9, 2010

Conservatives Ignore the Law and Science to Try to Shut Down InSite

Vancouver - Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, called on the Conservative Government today to explain their decision to ignore multiple court rulings in favour of keeping InSite, Canada's safe injection site, open.

"InSite saves lives," said Davies. "The science proves it, and the B.C Supreme Court and B.C. Appeal Court agree," she continued. "Yet the Conservatives continue to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal fees to try to shut it down."

The Conservatives appealed the B.C. Supreme Court's earlier ruling that InSite should remain open however, the B.C. Appeal Court upheld the lower court's ruling and further ruled that InSite is under provincial, not federal jurisdiction.

Over twenty peer reviewed studies showed the supervised injection site to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and incidences of drug overdoses while increasing the number of drug users accessing rehabilitation services.

If the Conservatives are really so tough on crime, they should respect the law and support these harm reduction strategies that work," said Davies. "Evidence based success should be shaping our drug policy, not Conservative ideology."

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For more information contact Phyllis at 604-775-5800 or daviel@parl.gc.ca