Pubdate: Fri, 09 Sep 2005
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Kevin Diakiw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

CLOSURE LOOMS FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

HIV Centre Lease Expiring, Community Study Ordered

A medical centre and needle exchange in Whalley faces imminent closure this 
month as the city demands a community impact study.

It leaves more than 5,000 annual patients cut off from their current source 
of medical attention. Operators of HIV/AIDS Centre Society, in the 
10600-block 135A Street, say those people will likely be packing Surrey 
Memorial Hospital's already overcrowded emergency ward.

Each month, the society treats 150 AIDS patients, 50 people on 
anti-retroviral drugs, 50 methadone patients and about two dozen people who 
drop in for emergency medical treatment.

On Tuesday night, city council renewed its call for the society to 
undertake the community impact study before the facility moves two doors 
away. It's a requirement that comes as news to the executive director of 
the society, James Bennett.

The lease expires at the existing location this month. Bennett paid for a 
city business permit, which was granted it as long as he looked after some 
plumbing and electrical work at the new location.

Then only a couple of months ago, Surrey demanded the clinic perform a 
community impact study to find out what the surrounding neighbourhood 
thought of the services.

Many business owners and residents don't like the associated services, such 
as the needle exchange, in their neighbourhood, so the impact study will 
likely be unsuccessful in convincing council to issue permits.

Bennett says the perception of the services is based on flawed logic.

"The problem with the mayor, and some of the councillors, is they weren't 
here and can't remember what it was like before," Bennett said Wednesday, 
adding the service has been there 15 years. "We were brought in to relieve 
stress on the emergency ward, we were brought in to relieve the amount of 
needles on the street, we were brought in to provide medical services to 
those that need them.

"If the city believes that's not there any more then fine, they can start 
throwing the needles back on the street and sending people into the 
emergency wards," Bennett said. "I don't think people will realize the 
impact that will result from all of this."

Coun. Bob Bose asked his colleagues to support issuance of the proper 
permits so the medical facility could continue operating, however, his 
proposal was defeated on a tie with only Bose and Couns. Dianne Watts, 
Penny Priddy and Judy Villeneuve in favour.

Watts said Thursday the decision is wrong as it directly affects people who 
are simply trying to stay alive.

"These are people that are not homeless, they're living in the community, 
and they're dying," Watts said. "They need to have access to medical 
attention."

Priddy said she's not opposed to a community impact study, but never 
imagined it would be used to oust an existing service.

She's also concerned that thousands of people per year will be heading for 
an already overcrowded emergency ward.

Bennett has hired Vancouver lawyer Jonathan Baker to seek a court 
injunction against the city.

"I'm more confident in the court system for reason and common sense than I 
am in this council," Bennett said. "There isn't a judge in the world that 
is going to see this as anything but a ludicrous, vindictive move by the city."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom