Quebec backs away from safe injection sites
22.08.2008 20:02
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Quebec will hold off on plans to create a safe injection site, said the province's new health minister. Officials with Yves Bolduc's office confirmed he has no intention of pursuing negotiations to build a safe injection site in Montreal until more impact studies are done. His predecessor, Dr. Philippe Couillard, announced in June that Quebec was keen to open such a site in Montreal, after observing similar facilities in other parts of the world, including Vancouver, home to Canada's only injection centre. At the time, Couillard said supervised injection is a valuable method for treating drug addicts. But a spokeswoman for Bolduc said there isn't enough concrete proof that supervised injection sites help addicts. The declaration comes after federal Health Minister Tony Clement blasted physicians who support supervised injection, criticizing them during a speech to the Canadian Medical Association in Montreal this week. Clement said support for safe injection sites raises serious moral and ethical concerns, and is akin to doctors letting cancer patients die even if they have a treatable tumour. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksClement questions MDs who favour safe injection sitesHealth HeadlinesJump in U.S. measles cases linked to vaccine fearsMeasles cases in the U.S. are at the highest level in more than a decade, with nearly half of those involving children whose parents rejected vaccination, health officials said. 3rd death confirmed in listeriosis outbreakA third person in Ontario is confirmed to have died from listeriosis, federal health officials said Friday.Health Canada warns against two natural health productsHealth Canada is warning consumers not to use two unauthorized natural health products because they are not approved by its department and may cause serious negative health problems that could result in death.Despite expanding diagnostic imaging, Canada lags behind other developed countriesCanada has significantly boosted its supply of diagnostic scanners since 2003 but the number still lags behind other developed countries.Lettuce, spinach can be zapped with radiation to kill germs: U.S. rulingAmerican food producers will soon be allowed to expose fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce with low levels of radiation in order to kill E. coli and other potentially dangerous germs. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHFood safetyFrequently asked questions about listeriaASTHMABoys vs. girlsNew thinking about the disease in youngstersFOODHealthy barbecueAudio: Dr. Peter Lin on reducing cancer risks (6:35)IN DEPTHMental healthCanadians earn failing grade for attitudeIN DEPTHWest Nile HEALTHMemorySurprising things that affect itPeople who read this also read …
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