|
Newsbrief:
Canada
to
Look
at
Subsidized
Housing
for
Junkies
10/24/03
Canada Press reported Sunday
that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the federal government's
housing agency, is looking into alternative residential programs for drug
users who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Such housing
would be based on harm reduction principles and could include safe injection
sites, according to a CMHC spokesman.
The proposal is in stark
contrast to the United States, where convicted drug users are barred from
public housing and other benefits under federal law. "We want to
look at that population and how people are already helping them, or the
kinds of cutting-edge ideas on how we can best create long-term housing
for this group," said Jim Zamprelli, a senior policy researcher at CMHC.
"Harm reduction, at least theoretically, would create an environment which
doesn't bar [substance users] and recognizes that at this point maybe complete
abstinence is not the answer," he added. Housing for drug users based
on harm reduction principles could well include the controversial but effective
safe injection sites. "One could suggest building a living environment
around a safe injection facility," said Zamprelli.
The proposal got a predictably
cool reaction from Member of Parliament Randy White, the conservative Canadian
Alliance's shadow minister for drug issues. "This idea of harm reduction
is not reducing harm. It's keeping people on drugs," he said.
-- END --
|
Issue #308, 10/24/03
Bolivians Deal Blow to US Andean Drug Policy |
University of Virginia Drug Bust Draws Complaints, Disbelief |
Seattle's Sensible Marijuana Initiative Idea Catches On -- Eugene Next? |
DRCNet Interview: Robert Rapplean of Parents and Educators for the Reform of Drug Laws |
Press Release: Pain Coalition Seeks Relief Through Chronic Pain Treatment Act |
Newsbrief: Hawaii to Prosecute Mother in Meth Baby Case |
Newsbrief: Urine Sales Case Before South Carolina Supreme Court |
Newsbrief: What Racist Drug War? Ask Maryland |
Newsbrief: Latest Gallup Poll Finds Public Believes Drugs a Serious Problem But Not the Most Serious |
Newsbrief: Glacial Movement on Ganja Decrim in Jamaica |
Newsbrief: This Week's Corrupt Cops Story |
Newsbrief: Canada to Look at Subsidized Housing for Junkies |
Perry Fund Accepting Applications for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 School Years, Providing Scholarships for Students Losing Aid Because of Drug Convictions |
The Reformer's Calendar
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