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Ottawa can't shut down safe injection site: ruling
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Contributor | Monsieur |
Last Edited | Monsieur May 27, 2008 08:46pm |
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Category | Legal Ruling |
News Date | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 02:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
Description | A B.C. judge has ruled that the federal government cannot constitutionally shut down Vancouver's safe-injection site.
Justice Ian Pitfield wrote in a 60-page ruling that "Society cannot condone addiction, but in the face of its presence it cannot fail to manage it, hopefully with ultimate success reflected in the cure of the addicted individual and abstinence."
Federal lawyers had argued addicts do not have protection under the Charter of Rights to inject illegal drugs. The judge disagreed, noting health and safety reasons.
The ruling is a blow to the Tory government, which has suggested that it may shut down InSite, a health facility where addicts can go to inject drugs in a safe environment.
Justice Pitfield has exempted the site from national drug laws until June 30, 2009. |
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