Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Miki Hansen Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1352/a09.html?1217 DISCARDED NEEDLES NO HIV DANGER Re: July 19 article "Neighbours needled by addicts" needs clarification. - - The AIDS Vancouver Island Needle Exchange opened 13 years ago in 1989 (not in February 2002 as reported). - - The purpose of the needle exchange is to reduce the many harms associated with injection drug use such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C by providing services that promote healthier choices. - - Needle users are requested to return used syringes, in exchange for clean syringes. Our statistics show this is working. For example, for every 100 syringes we give out, drug users return 104. - - There has not been a single documented case of HIV infection attributed to an abandoned needle-stick injury to date, anywhere in the world. This is related to the fact that the surface blood on the part of the abandoned needle that punctures the skin contains dead HIV, as the virus dies within moments of exposure to the air. Inside the needle, however, HIV may still live -- that's why abandoned needles should not be used to inject substances. - - In medical care settings, HIV has been transmitted through needle-stick injuries where contact was made with live blood on the needle surface. The greatest risks related to abandoned needle stick injuries are other less lethal bacterial, viral, and/or fungal infections (i.e. tetanus). - - Calgary and more recently Edmonton have developed a Yellow Box Program for dealing with used syringes. AVI and others are working with the city of Victoria to see if this program could be utilized in Victoria. In June, AVI noticed an increase in the number of syringes being discarded and called neighbours, organizations and different levels of government together to discuss the situation. The goal of the newly formed working group is to develop solutions that would increase health and safety for all in our community. Miki Hansen, Executive director, AIDS Vancouver Island. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex