Press Conference - « How much is a junky's life worth ?! »

MONTREAL, Dec. 1, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, World AIDS day, the Association québécoise pour la promotion de la santé des personnes utilisatrices de drogues (AQPSUD) reminds everyone of the urgency of implementing Safe Consumption Sites (SCS) immediately wherever they are needed.

According to the Montreal Public Health Agency, SCS are a « medical necessity » due to the « alarming death rate » of IDUs in Quebec.

The cozy stance of our allies since the federal elections belies a « public health urgency » as witnessed by the staggering number of overdose deaths throughout the country as well as new HIV and hepatitis infections, not to mention all other medical complications inherent in injecting drugs.

Throughout Canada, people are dying every week while the federal government allows this urgent health measure to be hampered by bureaucratic heavy-handedness. Why? Because they aim to help a stigmatised and socially disaffiliated population?

From 2000 to 2012, there were 1775 deaths attributed to opioids in Quebec. 1 out of 5 IDUs has HIV; 2 out 3 IDUs has hepatitis C.

We implore the federal government to demonstrate an exemplary and rigorous leadership in this matter. Not tomorrow, but now!  « This is an emergency! We're dying! »

At 2 PM today, in Montreal, at the corner of de Boisbriand and de Bullion streets, l'AQPSUD and its allies will reclaim loud and clear the immediate creation of SCS wherever they are needed.

SOURCE L'Association Québécoise pour la promotion de la santé des personnes utilisatrices de drogues (AQPSUD)

Gedi or Kim at 514-562-3350