Insite - Vancouver's supervised injection facility - deemed constitutionally valid

Not sure how many of you are aware of Insite - a supervised injection facility that allows addicts to inject with clean implements under nurse supervision... But I work at the detox center above it and today the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously that shutting it down would violate the Charter rights of drug users who visit the facility. Here's a link to a story. They even said this, which made my heart happy:

Link to the ruling.

It's a good day to be a drug policy activist in Canada. Not a GREAT day, because we lost on the separation of powers argument, but still a day to be happy.

 

It's a surprisingly enlightened ruling from what is becoming an increasingly conservative court. While addiction may be a bad thing, further punishing someone who is already addicted by making their uncontrollable needs illegal and more dangerous just seems stupid. Eliminating some of the danger (dirty/infected equipment and other unsafe conditions) just meets commonsense public policy. The reduction in the spread of HIV/hepatitis B alone should make it a no-brainer. It's medical maintenance for the addict, not support for sale of the drugs.

 

this is a great ruling........very pleased.