| Myth: Safe injection sites such as Insite are just encouraging drug use because they make it easier for people to get high. |
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Actually... It is important to note that Insite does not provide drugs for users – only sterile injection equipment and a supervised environment in which to inject. In terms of its environment encouraging drug use, studies have shown that safe injection sites do not attract new drug users, do not increase rates of relapse among former users, and do not negatively influence those seeking to get clean1. Rather, safe injection sites have led to a decrease in drug use by providing users with contacts and supports that help them to pursue healthier lifestyles2. Insite’s opening in 2003 was associated with a 30 percent increase in detoxification services use3.
1. Kerr, T. et al (2006). “Impact of a Medically Supervised Safer Injection Facility on Community Drug Use Patterns: A Before and After Study.” British Medical Journal. 2. Hathaway, A. and Tousaw, K (2008). “Harm Reduction Headway and Continuing Resistance: Insights from Safe Injection in the City of Vancouver.” International Journal of Drug Policy. 3. Wood, Tyndall, Zhang, Montaner & Kerr (2007). “Rate of detoxification service use and its impact among a cohort of supervised injecting facility users.” Society for the Study of Addiction. |
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