[mobglob-discuss] Fw: COUNCIL E-lert 06/24/03: Safe-Injection Site Receives Federal Approval

[Paul Browning]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "COPE E-lerts" <elert at cope.bc.ca>
To: <cope at cope.bc.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 7:59 PM
Subject: COUNCIL E-lert 06/24/03: Safe-Injection Site Receives Federal
Approval


> COUNCIL E-lert 06/24/03: Site Expected to Open by Labour Day, Provided
> Provincial Funding Secured
>
>
> WHAT'S HAPPENING?
> - The federal government announced today that Vancouver will be the first
> North American city to operate a publicly supported, supervised safe
> injection site (SIS).
> - A key commitment made by COPE Mayor Larry Campbell during the last civic
> election, the facility will provide services including supervision of
> injections with emergency response to drug overdoses, injection-related
> first aid (e.g., wound care), assessment and referral to primary health
> care and service providers, harm reduction teaching and counselling, and
> exchange of needles, condoms and other injecting equipment.
> - The SIS could be open by Labour Day, provided the province does not
delay
> financial support for operation of the site.
> - The site will be operated by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and
> will be open 18-hours a day, with one registered nurse, one licensed
> practical nurse and an addiction counsellor on staff at all times.
> - Renovations of the SIS site at 135/139 E. Hastings St. will be completed
> by the end of August.
> - In addition to the site's approval, the federal government will provide
> up to $1.5 million over four years to evaluate the success of the site in
> reducing harm associated with illicit drug use and improving the health of
> drug users.
>
>
> WHAT CAN YOU DO?
> - According to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, provincial funding
> for the SIS has not yet been finalized.
> - Email provincial health minister Colin Hansen at
> HLTH.Health at gems1.gov.bc.ca to call for provincial funding of the
> safe-injection facility in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
> - For more information on the supervised safe injection site, visit
> http://www.vch.ca/newslinks/current/current_march_2003.pdf
>
>
> QUESTIONS?
> For more information, contact COPE Organizer Neil Monckton by calling
> 604-255-0400, or email neil at cope.bc.ca.
>
> A NOTE ON E-LERTS
> E-lerts are COPE press releases and highlight information about upcoming
> civic activities. Here's how COPE uses them:
> (1) There are four types of E-lerts -- COMMUNITY, COUNCIL, PARKS and
SCHOOL.
> (2) There will likely be a maximum of three E-lerts a week for all
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> (3) You can sign up for selective E-lerts. To change your E-lert status,
> please reply to this e-mail by putting the name of the board or council
you
> wish to be E-lerted to in the subject line (e.g., Jane Doe wants Council
> and Parks so she replies with COUNCIL PARKS in the subject line).
COMMUNITY
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>
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>
> COALITION OF PROGRESSIVE ELECTORS - VANCOUVER'S VOICE
> Address: 140-111 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4
> Web Site: http://www.cope.bc.ca
> E-mail: cope at cope.bc.ca
> Telephone: (604) 255-0400
> Fax: (604) 708-5740
>
>