News Release
2003-50
June 24, 2003
For immediate release
Health Canada approves Vancouver supervised injection site pilot research project
OTTAWA - On behalf of the federal Minister of Health, Anne McLellan,
the Honourable Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre, today announced that Health Canada has
approved in principle the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's application for an exemption
under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to launch a supervised
injection site pilot research project. Health Canada would also provide up to $1.5 million
over four years to support the evaluation component of the project.
"Research into the root causes of substance abuse, prevention, and harm reduction is an
important element of the renewed National Drug Strategy," said Hedy Fry. "The results of
this pilot project will be carefully monitored. The lessons learned will provide us with
valuable insight into the value and effectiveness of supervised injection sites as a harm
reduction strategy, and will help us with future decision making."
The goal of the project is to assess whether the establishment of a supervised injection
site pilot research project in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver will reduce the harm
associated with illicit drug use, improve the health of drug users, increase appropriate
use of health and social services by drug users and reduce the health, social, legal and
incarceration costs associated with drug use.
Health Canada would, subject to final approval of an evaluation plan, fund the evaluation
of the supervised injection site pilot research project to determine its effectiveness
as a harm reduction approach. Health Canada funding would be provided under the renewed
National Drug Strategy.
For more information on the National Drug Strategy, please visit the Health
Canada web site. For more information on substance abuse, or for help in quitting
drug use, Canadians are invited to contact their family doctor or local health authority.
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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