Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jun 2001
Source: Whistler Question (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001, Whistler Printing & Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1034
Author: Steven Hill
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

IV DRUG PROBLEM IN SEA TO SKY COMMUNITIES

It may be difficult to see, and even more difficult to believe, but 
local health officials say there is an IV drug problem in the Sea to 
Sky corridor.

When presenting the Provincial Health Officers Annual Report to 
Pemberton Village Council, June 5, Dr. Paul Martiquet informed 
councillors of the severity of the problem.

"There is a big intravenous drug problem in Pemberton," he said. "It 
may not be evident or visible, but it is there just the same."

But Marilyn McIvor, public health nursing manager for Coast Garibaldi 
Health, maintains IV drug use is a problem in all communities.

"There is IV drug use everywhere in the province," she said. "I don't 
think it's higher in Pemberton than any other community in the Sea to 
Sky corridor."

According to McIvor, over the years used needles have been found in 
the playground at Signal Hill in Pemberton, at Myrtle Philip School 
in Whistler, and in the park in downtown Squamish.

To minimize communicable diseases spread by sharing needles, and to 
connect intravenous drug users with community resources, Coast 
Garibaldi Health wants to establish a needle exchange program in the 
Sea to Sky Corridor.

"We've formed a steering committee which includes the RCMP, Squamish 
General Hospital, Coast Garibaldi Health, and alcohol and drug 
services," she explained. "Right now we're looking for a co-ordinator 
for the program."

The program is still in the planning stages, but McIvor said she 
hopes to get the needle exchange up and running soon.

"We're still working on exchange times and schedules, but as soon as 
we have a co-ordinator we will start the program in Squamish first."
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe