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Canada
S
TATEMENT FROM
M
INISTER
OF
H
EALTH
– H
EALTH
C
ANADA
AUTHORISES
D
R
P
ETER
C
ENTRE TO OPERATE SECOND
SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE
IN
C
ANADA
ealth Canada has informed
Vancouver’s Dr Peter Centre, a
world-renowned HIV/AIDS treatment
and support facility, that its application
to operate a supervised consumption
site has been approved.
The application to Health Canada was
jointly submitted by Vancouver Coastal
Health and the Dr Peter AIDS
Foundation.
Supervised consumption sites provide a
controlled space where people can
bring their own illicit substances to
consume under the supervision of
health-care professionals, and gain
access to other health and social
services including treatment.
International and Canadian evidence
shows that, when properly established
and managed, supervised consumption
sites have the potential to save lives
and improve health without increasing
drug use and crime in the surrounding
area.
The decision by Health Canada experts
was arrived at after a rigorous,
evidence-based review that included an
assessment of the Centre’s application,
an inspection of the facility, and the
establishment of terms and conditions
to protect public health and safety.
To operate the consumption site, the Dr
Peter Centre has been granted an
exemption from the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act. The Act provides
the legislative framework for the
control of substances that can alter
mental processes and that may produce
harm when diverted or misused.
Supervised consumption sites require
an exemption under the Act to ensure
public health and safety requirements
are met.
Government of Canada (16/1/16)
United Kingdom
T
RUTH BEHIND THE
M
ANCHESTER
NYE
PHOTO
THAT DELIGHTED THE WORLD
t was a photograph that so perfectly
encapsulated the New Year’s Eve
experience that it went viral around the
world. But not all is as it might seem,
as one of the people in the celebrated
picture has revealed.
First, a bit of background. The photo,
by freelance photographer Joel
Goodman, primarily depicts police
tussling with a man amid a busy New
Year’s scene in the English city of
Manchester. But it was another man, in
the background, who captured the
world’s imagination.
Sprawled across the road in a bright
blue suit, belly exposed, the man is
seen reaching for his bottle of
Desperado beer, seemingly settled in
for the night. As dusty revellers
recovered on New Year’s Day, the
photo was shared widely on social
media.
H
I