David Eby - Blog

Insite, the safer injection facility in Vancouver, is slated to be closed by the end of June when the Federal Government is scheduled to pull the facility's permit.

Pivot Legal Society is representing the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users on one of two court challenges to the closure. The other challenge has been launched by the Portland Hotel Society. Both are currently being heard at the B.C. Supreme Court. The hearings began yesterday.

The closure of Insite represents just one of many services under threat or closed in the neighbourhood, including United We Can, the Food Bank, Oppenheimer Park (closing for "renovation"), Pigeon Park (closing for Carrall Street Greenway construction), and on and on.

Part of the legal challenge includes an argument that making addictive substances illegal contravenes s.7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the right to have security of the person. The argument is based on the fact that addiction is a health condition that should be medically treated, and that addicts should not be criminalized for that health condition.

Don't hold your breath on that one, but the injunction to keep the site open should be a really interesting photo finish. Keep your eyes on the news!