By Jill Sperling

Health Minister seeks fewer barriers to safe injection sites

Jun 11, 2016 | 12:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s Health Minister would like to see fewer restrictions in place for setting up safe injection sites. 

Terry Lake says the former federal government’s Respect for Communities Act has placed barriers in the way of creating the sites where people who use drugs could do so safely, away from public areas. 

He says the act requires numerous community consultations.

“Now, I think it is important that we do consult with communities before these types of services are offered,” Lake said, “but we can’t put such a high bar there that we are unable to provide the harm reduction that these sites really do pose for us.”

Lake says the sites would reduce the risk of transmission of diseases, and provide users with the services needed for recovery. 

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“We can close our eyes and pretend it’s not happening or we can recognize that it’s going to happen anyway and put in services that actually reduce harms and are there when people are ready for help,” Lake said.

Interior Health is looking at the possibility of a safe consumption site in either Kamloops or Kelowna.