Pubdate: Thu, 23 Aug 2001 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: John G. Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) SCHOOL BOARD OPPOSES NEP Editor, The News: The following letter was also originally sent to Fraser Valley Health Region medical health officer Dr. Gillian Arsenault: On behalf of the board of school trustees, I wish to add our voice opposing the implementation of a needle exchange program in the Abbotsford area. Already we are experiencing a number of school sites where needles have been discarded by drug users. We believe a needle exchange program will only escalate this already unsafe situation for students. The board requests the health region look at treatment centres and detoxification programs as a better way to assist the drug user, rather than further encouraging the use of drugs by supplying needles. John G. Smith Chairman, Abbotsford school board - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager