Pubdate: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 Source: Age, The (Australia) Copyright: 2000 David Syme & Co Ltd Contact: 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia Website: http://www.theage.com.au/ Author: John Elder DEMAND FOR NEEDLES JUMPS Early last week, Portland Community Health Centre staff were guessing a big drop of heroin had landed. From Monday to Wednesday, the centre's needle exchange service handed out 225 needles. June had been quiet, with fewer than 700 syringes distributed - so the three-day jump was a sign that heroin was in town. Before the drop in June, demand was at an all-time high. In March, 1207 syringes went out in 98 exchanges or contacts with clients. In April, there were 82 exchanges for 1199 syringes. In May, there were 62 exchanges for 1078 syringes. Figures from the Portland and District Hospital, which runs a needle exchange service after hours and at weekends, are even more alarming. From January to June, the numbers rose steadily each month. The hospital gave away four to five times more syringes compared with the same period last year. February was the first time the hospital had distributed more than 100 packs of six syringes. In June, during the community health centre's slump, the hospital gave away nearly 200. "The needle exchange rate is tied with usage, we're sure of that," said hospital drug and alcohol unit head Bev McIlroy. "Compared with the last three years, the numbers of syringes going out now has gone through the roof - and we haven't seen a slump in demand." Local health-care workers take heart that more demand at least suggests a drop in health risks - but hospital sources say up to nine out of 10 Portland users have hepatitis C, which can lead to liver cancer. It is a disaster. Community health centre CEO Peter Hill said: "An infected person might keep sharing needles because he doesn't think he has anything to lose. "But there's more than one strain of hep C. The strain he picks up from his friend might be the strain that takes him out." - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart