Safe Injection Sites A Controversial Issue - 1797 Words

Safe injection sites are a controversial issue in Canada, and have been for a long time. As society grows more and more comfortable with the idea of legalizing certain drugs, the attitude towards these safe injection sites changes. This change affects laws, politics, and society in general and is a legal and moral issue. Insite, the first safe injection site in North America, opened in 2003 in Vancouver, British Columbia to a mass of controversy that induced legislative, legal, and moral change worthy of observation and investigation. This paper will first introduce the concept of safe injection sites as well as an explanation of the harm principle in which these sites operate under, then introduce Insite, the first safe injection site opened in North America, along with appropriate statistical evidence that proves its effectiveness, followed by the issues brought up by opponents of these sites will be discussed as well as the landmark Supreme Court case that allowed for their contin ued existence, and finally an overview of the current legislation that threatens it. Safe injection sites are places where chronic users of drugs such as morphine, cocaine, and heroin can go to inject drugs in a safe and sanitary environment. The site itself does not supply the drugs, but offers addiction and mental health treatment, first aid in case of overdose or injury, and sanitary means to inject drugs safely. These sites apply what is known as the harm reduction model. In herShow MoreRelatedHeroin Should Be Implemented Safe Sites1533 Words   |  7 Pagesremains an ever popular drug and continues to be an issue many cities face. Heroin deaths continue to rise each year; Seattle reported 156 deaths in 2014, 99 deaths in 2013, and 49 in 2009 (Beekman). Heroin isn’t a problem that is going away, rather it is a problem that grows annually. Deaths from an overdose, the spread of disease, and the improper disposal of dirty needles all rise with the popularity of heroin. To combat this, heroin safe-sites have been established across the world. Germany, Switze rlandRead MoreThe Ethical Controversy of a Nurse`s Role in Harm Reduction1014 Words   |  5 PagesHarm reduction can be defined as an approach that aims to reduce the consequences of high risk behaviours such as injection drug use on the individual and on society as a whole. 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