Insite: Canada's landmark safe injecting program at risk
2006
InSite: Canada's Landmark Safe Injecting Program at Risk
Sample size: 7200
Editorial
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Ernest Drucker
Primary Institution: Montefiore Medical Centre
Conclusion
The potential closure of InSite could lead to significant public health risks and economic costs for Vancouver and British Columbia.
Supporting Evidence
- InSite has led to increased admissions to local detoxification programs and addiction treatment.
- InSite has not led to an increase in drug-related crime.
- InSite has reduced the number of people injecting in public.
- InSite is attracting the highest-risk users.
- InSite has reduced overall rates of needle sharing in the community.
- InSite users are more likely to receive information on safer injecting practices.
- InSite is not increasing rates of relapse among former drug users.
Takeaway
InSite is a safe place for people to use drugs, and if it closes, many people could get hurt and it would cost a lot of money.
Participant Demographics
Active intravenous drug users, primarily in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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