Clement Announces $20M for Vcr Drug Treatment

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER – Health Minister Tony Clement side-stepped questions about Vancouver’s controversial safe injection site in announcing more funding for drug-treatment programs in the province.

Clement promised more than $20 million for programs to battle drug-addiction programs in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and hepatitis C.

In an announcement out of Ottawa, in conjunction with Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, the federal health minister says $10 million will be spent over five years.

The new funds will help fund 20 new treatment beds for female addicts and a community treatment team that will offer rehabilitation programs, as well as access to medical and psychiatric help.

Another $10.6 million will go toward a national program that focuses on hepatitis C prevention, research and support.

But Clement dodged repeated questions about the future of Vancouver’s controversial safe-injection site, known as Insite, which requires Ottawa’s approval to remain open beyond June 30.