The Drug Policy Website of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union

Insite - Not Just Injecting, But Connecting

Insite is an injecting site - and so much more. Please watch our movie and learn why the Canadian government should not shut it down! 

Last year the HCLU’s video advocacy group travelled to Vancouver, to make a film about Insite, the only legally-operating injecting facility in North America. When we arrived at Hastings Street, in Vancouver's downtown Eastside, where Insite is located, we were taken aback by the magnitude of the street drug scene we found there. Hundreds of marginalised people live on the streets – they are virtually homeless, because I would not call those crowded, stuffy buldings, where they can get a cheap bed and breakfast, 'home' . A lot of them come from other parts of Canada, where the climate is colder and there are no services like Insite, or all the other health and social services which the Portland Hotel Society, a non-profit organization, provides to drug users in Vancouver.  

In those few days we spent in downtown Eastside, we realized that Insite is very different from the dark picture the Canadian government tries to paint of it – and so much more than just an injecting site. It connects people to other services, such as shelter, food, detoxification, rehabilitation, financial literacy and sports facilities. Filming people coming in and out of Insite and Onsite (the detox/shelter service on the top floors) - seeing the enthusiasm and spirit of the community, the commitment of the staff members, the struggle for survival on the street - told us so much more than reading the research data proving Insite’s efficency in reducing HIV infections and overdose deaths. This is a place where clients are reminded that they are not merely clients, but people with dignity. We hope our video will help you appreciate all these features of Insite. 

The Supreme Court’s decision, instructing the federal government to use their existing legislation to issue a permit to Insite, is a historic victory, not only for evidence-based drug policies, but for the communities of people who use drugs. It gives inspiration and hope for all of us. 

Posted by Peter Sarosi

Comments

Great film. Keep up your work. You guys are doing a great job. Here in Hamburg, Germany we have at least 2 facilities maybe more and it works very good.

Thank you - please distribute this video widely!

Just watched the short docu about your service what a truly inspiring team of people you's are it fills my heart with hope that one day maybe my beautiful city of Glasgow Scotland will also have safer injecting rooms and reduce the number of drug deaths. we are experienceing on average 500 per year for several years. i thank each and everyone of you's yours truly recovering addict/homeless addictions worker.

This is just a wake up call for all involved. Little do you realize how much of an impact you've made to those that really need this site. In my time I was a drug user (an I.V. user) and it wasn't even heard of to have a place such as 'Insite'. It could have saved many many more lives if this had been recognized. This will live on, for the people that are downcast!