In Vancouver we have had a needle exchange program for quite a long time. Recently, safe injection sites have been introduced. Oddly enough, not many junkies have signed up. Even so, the crime rate has decreased remarkably.

Guest 04 Jun 05 - 07:50 AM

Whether we treat heroin addiction as a criminal offence or as a medical problem, we are still funding it. The hope is that by providing clean needles and safe injection sites, the incidence of HIV and criminal activity will be reduced. Another hope is that, with counselling, an addict will kick the habit.

There has to be an alternative to jail because prison's cost too much and do nothing but provide a temporary solution. Eventually, the prisoner is released and the cycle begins again.