A British Columbia Supreme Court ruling has protected Vancouver's supervised injection facility, Insite, from closure by the federal government. A decision this week by Justice Ian Pitfield concluded that federal illicit drug laws could not be applied to Insite because it is a health care facility.

Until now, the facility has been operating under an exemption to Canada's drug laws, but that exemption was set to expire June 30.

In his decision, Justice Pitfield wrote, "Simply stated, I cannot agree with ... Canada's submission that an addict must feed his addiction in an unsafe environment when a safe environment that may lead to rehabilitation is the alternative."

Liz Evans, Executive Director of the PHS Community Services Society, which operates Insite, said in a statement, "The B.C. Supreme Court has now confirmed what doctors and nurses have known for many years, that addiction is a health care issue, and that Insite is a vital part of how our health care system treats this tragic disease."

Insite has been operating since 2003. Several studies have shown that the facility is effective, with the most recent positive report being released by a government-appointed expert panel just last month. The report concluded that Insite is saving money and lives, increasing access to health care and treatment, and improving public order--all without increasing crime.