Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Doris Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

INJECTION SITE ATTRACTING YOUNG USERS

Study Says The Drug-Use Haven Enhances Public Safety By Taking 
High-Risk Addicts Off The Street

VANCOUVER - Vancouver's Downtown Eastside drug injection site is 
attracting high-risk drug users who may otherwise pose safety risks 
by using drugs in public, says a study conducted by the B.C. Centre 
for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

Results of the study, which are being released today by the American 
Journal of Preventive Medicine, say the site is attracting young drug 
users who have an elevated risk of HIV infection and overdose, not 
older, low-risk drug users as previously thought.

The study was based on a survey of over 400 active injection drug 
users since the site opened in September 2003.

The pilot site, the first of its kind in North America, is funded by 
Health Canada and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. It offers 
sterile drug injection equipment to users in a medically supervised setting.

Dr. Evan Wood, epidemiologist at the centre for excellence and 
professor of medicine at UBC, said the creation of a sanctioned area 
for drug users prevents them from using drugs in unsafe public spaces.

"Essentially, there is no space for drug use because it's an illicit 
activity," Wood said in an interview Monday. "Illicit drug use takes 
place in unsterile environments -- behind dumpsters, in shooting 
galleries -- in these types of hidden environments. That's an effect 
of our current approach to the drug problem."

Wood said the availability of safe injection sites with medical 
supervisory staff decreases the sharing of syringes, prevents 
overdose incidents, and lowers AIDS contraction.

Chris Buchner, manager of HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction Programs for 
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, said the site addresses drug 
addiction in a humane way, by connecting services to people who 
suffer from addiction.

"We should be dealing with people who suffer from addiction in a 
health setting. If they have a chronic addiction, which we believe is 
a medical condition, [they shouldn't be] relegated to shooting up 
behind a dumpster and being chased around by the police."

Besides providing clean needles, Buchner added the site also has 
counselling services for those requesting help.

"If they're willing and open, we provide many more opportunities to 
them," said Buchner. "We see it really as an access point. So there's 
the basic protection from overdose and disease transmission that 
we're trying to provide for them. But beyond that, it's a real access 
point into a system for care."

Although researchers are optimistic the program promotes safer use of 
drugs, they see the strategy as one of containment, not eradication 
of the drug problem.

"Addressing the drug problem is not something, I don't think, that 
can be solved, said Evans. "It's something that needs to be managed. 
There's no magic bullets in so many issues of public health policy."

- - - -

Site Activity

Use of the Facility March-August 2004

- - Number of injections:

March, 9,620. April, 13,377. May, 14,299. June, 14,004. July, 14,374. 
August, 14,288.

- - Number of users:

March, 1,027. April, 1,205. May, 1,215. June, 1,220. July, 1,236. Augus, 1,312.

- - Number of injections per person: March, 9.4. April, 11.1. May, 
11.8. June, 11.5. July, 11.6. August, 10.9

Source: B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth