Myth or Fact?
1. This program is simply about giving free drugs to people with addictions.
False. InnerChange rejects the use of illegal drugs and needles. InnerChange only permits prescription medicines that are currently legally available through a pharmacy.
2. This is an increased focus on harm reduction. Don't we need more treatment?
False. This program is expanding drug treatment options as well as achieving a reduction in harm for both the drug user and the community. There is a large body of evidence that supports this kind of treatment intervention.
3. Why don't we just ask people to stop using drugs and offer only abstinence treatment?
Many people in our community have addictions to cigarettes or have trouble with overeating. For many, abstinence is not a realistic option. That is why we offer "the patch or nicotine gum as a substitution for smoking while sugar substitutes help with obesity problems. If we offer substitution treatments for smoking and eating why would we not offer substitution for addiction to hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and crystal meth.
4. This will result in more drugs on the streets of Vancouver.
False. This will result in less illegal drug use on the streets of Vancouver as addicted individuals will no longer have to steal or prostitute themselves to obtain the money needed to purchase illegal drugs.
5. This will become a honey pot and attract drug addicts from across Canada to the Downtown Eastside.
False. What drug addicted people want are illegal drugs. Because InnerChange rejects the use of illegal substances there is little likelihood people will travel to Vancouver. In fact a focus group of people with addictions indicated people would take their prescriptions and leave the Downtown Eastside and return to their families.
6. This program does not incorporate the proper housing or counseling.
False. The program acknowledges that housing, counseling and other support services are an integral part of assisting individuals deal with an addiction to illegal drugs.
7. This program is simply exchanging one addiction for another.
False. This program will be using pharmaceutical grade medicines to assist individuals to stabilize their lives and give them to opportunity to wean themselves off gradually and begin to deal with their underlying psychological and mental health issues that cause their addiction.
8. There is no scientific evidence that substitution treatment will reduce crime or disorder.
False. Methadone has been proven to reduce crime rates by about 90%. Heroin maintenance trials in Europe have seen drops in crime of over 50%. There is a significant body of scientific evidence that substitution and maintenance programs can have significant impacts on reducing crime and improving health outcomes.
9. This program is an admission that methadone treatment has been a failure.
False. On the contrary, methadone treatment is extremely successful for many individuals but only works well for those addicted to opiates. There are a minority of heroin addicts that do not respond well to methadone, other substitutes might be more successful. We also need other tools in the stimulant category to address those with addictions to stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
10. There are no legal medications that have successfully proven to be replacements for illegal drugs such as crystal meth.
False. There are several legal substances in the amphetamine family that have shown promising results in assisting individuals to decrease or stop their amphetamine use.
11. This program will be funded solely by the private sector and could be seen as private health care.
False. Funding for this program will come from a variety of private sector and government sources.
12. The pharmaceutical companies are behind this program.
False. There have been no discussions with pharmaceutical companies concerning this program.
13. This program will replace the successful supervised injection site.
False. The successful safe injection site may well be one of the entry points into the program for people who wish to attempt to stop using illegal drugs.
14. This program will force people to remain living in the downtown eastside if they want to be eligible to participate in the trial.
False. If an individual enters the program and wishes to return home to another city or province the prescription will be a portable one that they can take with them when leave Vancouver. This will allow them to access a greater source of housing options and networks of support previously unavailable to them.
15. Since the drug will be given free to drug users, there will be a tendency to consume more.
False. Evidence from other similar maintenance trials including the one in Vancouver with Heroin suggests that individuals' doses do not increase when given prescription maintenance treatment and in fact tend to level off.
16. Once again, emphasis is being put on harm reduction at the expense of treatment and prevention programs.
False. This IS drug treatment. In addition, currently, the City of Vancouver is actively focusing on the prevention pillar along with its community partners.
17. This is simply about the Mayor trying to clean up the Downtown Eastside in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
False. The Mayor is committed to developing new treatment options that are long-term and sustainable. He has stated he is supporting this treatment option years in advance of the Olympic and Paralympics rather than simply cleaning up the streets for the 27 day event.
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