I want to congratulate Adela Talbot for her opinion piece (Ignoring research puts lives on the line, April 19). I thought it was extremely well written with supporting research and the personal experience was a nice touch. It made it real for those who are ‘unaware’ or turn a blind eye to the situation.
I have worked as a pharmacy assistant, in and out of school, and had the experience, and pleasure, of working in an addiction pharmacy dispensing methadone and suboxone. Many of my patients (men and women, young and old) are good people who, for various reasons, have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances. I have also had patients that are professionals with families and those that are on the program for pain management.
Not only do they struggle with addiction and recovery, but also have to deal with the stigma of being a ‘drug addict.’
I know that many of my patients that are intravenous-drug users suffer from communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis C, and would greatly benefit from a safe-injection facility.
I think InSite Vancouver is doing a wonderful thing. The rest of Canada should take note and should realize the benefit as well.
 Stéphanie Lamothe
BHSc’09
MSc candidate, Department of Microbiology and Immunology