Insight on Insite

The Harper government and Insite go way back. First Harper tried to get the BC Supreme Court to close it down (using taxpayer dollars for the legal proceedings, of course). When the BCSC said Insite should be kept open, Harper then went to BC Appeal court (guess where the money came from?), and lost again. Now the government has appealed again to the Federal Supreme Court. Since this is costing Canadians hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax, you have a right to know both sides of the argument. So, without further ado:

Arguments for Insite

Reduces needle-sharing
Reduces transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C
Reduces overdose deaths
Saves millions of dollars in healthcare costs
Establishes a foothold for medical authorities within DTES
Supported by VPD, local merchant associations
Supported by local residents
Increases chances of drug users entering rehab
Positive effects reported by 30 studies; not one negative effect found
Saves lives at no cost to federal government

Arguments against Insite

Insite will encourage drug habits, like how hospitals encourage people to get sick
Scientists are probably making this shit up anyways

On one side, we have findings by medical experts, sociologists, criminologists, and people who have witnessed the conditions of the DTES firsthand (such as police officers); on the other hand, uninvolved politicians who are making calls from 3000 kms away with utter disregard to facts and real human costs. Hmm, what to do, what to do…

If you want to read more on this issue, click here for an article written by someone who is far better qualified to talk about this than I am.

Photo credit:http://www.dickinsonpd.com/images/syringe.jpg

http://supervisedinjection.vch.ca

About the Author: Justin Choi

Justin is in his second year at UBC. He enjoys listening to Korean rap, and when he isn’t writing offensive articles on his blog, he’s writing offensive articles for various magazines. He mainly procrastinates, but he occasionally finds time to participate in volunteer activities around the community. His favourite writers include Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Mark Twain, Tom Stoppard, and Maddox.

Random

16 and Pregnant. Jersey Shore. Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Dancing With the Stars. 19 20 Kids and Counting. The Bachelor. Jon and Kate Plus 8. Admit it; if you own a TV and turn it on once in a while, you’ve seen at least come across one of theseDoes Reality TV Really Mar Our Judgment?

“I just want to help people and make them HAPPY!” These are the powerful words expressed by the inspiring and extremely self motivated 17 year old, Zoya Jiwa! When chatting with Zoya, enthusiasm, excitement, and pure passion for living life to its fullest are clearly evident in every word and everyOctober 2011 #2: Zoya Jiwa

Local folk/alternative band Good for Grapes is a force to be reckoned with. Since forming in September of 2010, the band has cultivated a sound worth noticing and remembering. What started out as a group of five friends who had previously spent time busking around the Vancouver and Victoria area,"Folk Stomping" with Good For Grapes

Dancers of all ages gathered in the grand studio of 505 Hamilton Street May 24, 2011, to learn from choreographers that have personally worked with Usher and are currently on tour with him. These choreographers are renowned in the art of Hip Hop dance, offering inspirational words and promise forThe Official Usher OMG Tour Workshop

This isn't what you may think it is. Get your mind out of the gutter. Women in fact have a very unique connection with water. Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall recently hosted a CBC radio show titled "Women and Water" last spring that led to an online televised talk-show featuring local female activists. The show,Women and Water

How could we forget the very first awkward Sex Education class we had in school that included curiosity, chatter, and a large amount of giggling. As awkward as it may have seemed, it was an open space to talk and learn about issues related to sex and body image. WhenIndependent films for youth or by youth: Out in Schools