the Vancouver Supervised Injection Site Human rights and Harm Reduction
description
Transcript of the Vancouver Supervised Injection Site Human rights and Harm Reduction
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Teaching Resource Compiled by Josephine Savarese,
St. Thomas University
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Did you know…
That Vancouver is home to North America’s first legal supervised injection site?
Established in September 2003.
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The Vancouver SiS
Operates under an exemption granted by Health CanadaSection 56 of the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act
the SiS is necessary for:a medical and scientific purposeand is in the public interest
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A Personal Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV2TqBFNTac&feature=related
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Overview: Connections to Criminal Justice
What is a safe injection site?Where do they operate? Why?How?
What international human rights laws are relevant to the safe injection site?
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Background
What is a supervised injection site?
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A health setting monitored by professionals where: ○ Drug users (who supply their own drugs) inject
under supervision○ Receive health care, counseling and referrals
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Why were the sites established?
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The Scope of the Problem - Vancouver 1.3 million residents:
About 12,000 were intravenous drug users.
Nearly 40 percent of drug users had HIV or
AIDS.
90 percent had Hepatitis C.
2,000 people had died from drug overdoses since 1993.
2003 Vancouver figures – BC Health
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Costs to the Health System Each HIV case costs between $150,000
and $225,000
Ambulance costs
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Evaluation of SiS’s: Vancouver: One Year Evaluation - 2004 Served over 3000 clients Averages ~ 600 injections per day Heroin and other opiates most common Clients rate the staff highly Site is “well managed” Over 100 interventions in drug
overdoses ~ 300 referrals to treatment and
withdrawal management services
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The World
Reports are positive reduce injection-related risks and harms,
including vein damage, overdose and transmission of disease
They are successful in reducing public order problems associated with illicit drug use, including improper syringe disposal and public drug use
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Video prepared by: Insite/Vancouver Coastal Health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQpRMJacTiQ
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Global Context
There are 27 supervised injections sites in the world
In cities including:GenevaZurichFrankfurt and Sydney (Australia)
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SI/Sites and International Law International Law
Key concepts SovereigntyTreaties
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SiS - Relevant International LawsHuman Rights Obligations
World Health Organization – Constitution
The enjoyment of the highest standard of health is one of the fundamental rights or every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or
social condition.
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Human Rights Obligations Con’tThe Universal Declaration on Human
Rights – Article 25
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including medical care and
necessary social services.”
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Human Rights Obligations Con’tInternational Covenant on Economic,
Social and Civil Rights - Article 12
State parties recognize . . . “the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the
highest standard of physical and mental health.”
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Drug Control Treaties
3 treaties – Canada is a party:
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961 - amended by 1972 Protocol)
Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988).
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Emphasis law enforcement and criminalization
Harm reduction approaches correspond with the goals of treatment, education, rehabilitation and re-integration, also in the treaties
The Swiss Institute of Comparative Law (2000)
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The Issue in International LawInternational Narcotics Control Board
(INCB)
• Created 1961 (under the SCND)• 13-member independent board • Monitors the implementation of drug control
treaties• Connected to the United Nations
Commission on Narcotic Drugs• Prepares annual report
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2004 Report: Cited the Vancouver SiS
It "violate[s] the provisions of the international drug control conventions."
Recommended closure of the safe injection site
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Class Discussion
Imagine yourself:
As a team of international law experts and policy advisors to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
The VCHA want to respond to the INCB’s criticisms.
!
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In small groups:
The team has convened behind closed doors to review the information
Consider:
1. What are the strongest arguments for safe injection sites?
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Groups Con’t
2. Compare and contrast the human rights approach with the drug control philosophy.
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Conclusions
Recommendations:• How would you challenge the arguments
that the supervised injection site be closed?
• What research can you find? • If there were one voice in the room,
what would it be saying?
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Please check out:www.thisisus.ca
drug use reality project