[ninty]

Vancouver's safe-injection site a concern: UN
Last Updated Tue, 02 Mar 2004 22:05:21
VIENNA - In a new report, the United Nations has criticized a Canadian safe-injection site for drug users.

The International Narcotics Control Board is an independent UN organization that monitors international drug use.

It zeroed in on Vancouver's provincially-run site, which is the only one of its kind in North America.

The report concludes the existence of the site means that Canada is violating international drug treaties it signed. The board says it will review the site after three years.

The organization also criticizes Ottawa's planned legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"The board is concerned that the revisions could contribute to the mistaken perception that cannabis is a harmless substance," says the report.

The safe-injection site, which opened last year, is intended to give addicts a safe place and clean equipment to shoot up.

Critics say it encourages drug use and does nothing to help addicts to quit their habit.