Aug. 29, 2022 – For immediate release:

Today, mayoral candidate Rana Bokhari pledges to open safe injection sites in Winnipeg after the failure of the provincial government to do so. 

“We can’t wait any longer,” says Rana. “The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the
problem of drug addiction in Winnipeg and the provincial government has failed to respond in any meaningful way.

“While I would hope the province would partner with the city to get this health-care service up and running, I am pledging that as Mayor, the city will do it, with or without their help.”
The increase in drug addiction has unfortunately increased both property and violent crime, says Rana.

Winnipeggers are noticing more break-ins, more property theft, and unhoused people
moving into bus shelters.

As well, 34 people have died from homicide so far this year, meaning the city is on track to
hit 50 homicides by the end of 2022, a new and horrible record.

“Some candidates have talked about policing as a solution to this crime wave. We know this
isn’t the case – police do not prevent crime, they respond to it. And they, too, are
overwhelmed.

“Preventing crime in the first place is the only solution, and one of those steps is
safe-injection sites.”
Safe-injection sites provide a place where drug users can consume or inject illegal drugs
under the supervision of a health professional without fear of being arrested for possession of illicit substances.

Over the past few years, discarded needles on the streets from drug users have risen exponentially – The Bear Clan Patrol reported finding 145,000 needles in 2019, and it only got worse in 2020.
In 2021, more than 400 people in Manitoba died from overdose deaths.

Numerous studies show that safe-injection sites are effective in reducing public disorder, infectious disease, and overdose deaths.

Safe-injection sites also save money – a study by the INSITE safe-injection site in Vancouver found that the program saved the health care and policing systems $14 million over 10 years, a conservative estimate.

People who use the sites are also more likely to access mental health and addictions services,
Rana added.

A mobile pop-up site would likely be the first step, said Rana.

“Preventing crime is such a complex issue. People who are addicted and want help should be able to access it. Ideology should not play into health care, and Winnipeggers deserve to
have safer, cleaner streets when they step outside.”

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For more information:

Elisha Dacey
204-290-8009
team@rana4wpg.ca