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