Pubdate: Fri, 02 Feb 2007
Source: Bermuda Sun (Bermuda)
Copyright: 2005 Bermuda Sun
Contact:  http://www.bermudasun.bm/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3865
Author: James Whittaker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

PHARMACISTS PUSH FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

A syringe exchange programme, allowing drug addicts to exchange dirty 
needles for clean ones, has been recommended by the island's pharmacists.

They are concerned that addicts are buying diabetic syringes from 
pharmacies, using them to 'shoot up' and failing to safely dispose of them.

The Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) raised the issue after 
its members reported a series of incidents involving drug abusers. 
The BPA represents roughly 60 island pharmacists.

One member told of locking up at night, only to find a drug addict in 
the pharmacy's stairwell getting ready to shoot up with the syringe 
she had just bought.

In another incident, a man used a pharmacy bathroom to inject drugs 
and left his used needle in the garbage.

In July last year, Leah Flynn, past-president of the BPA, wrote to 
the Bermuda Pharmacy Council, the regulatory body, on behalf of 
pharmacists urging them to address the issue.

Ethical issue

It is understood that the letter was forwarded to chief medical 
officer Dr John Cann, though Dr Cann said he was unable to comment 
until he had looked into the matter further.

Ms Flynn, who works at Hamilton Pharmacy, cited a major public health 
concern and an ethical issue for pharmacists.

"You have an inkling that somebody is not intending to use a needle 
for insulin when they come in and buy two diabetic syringes. A 
diabetic would normally buy in bulk."

But she said it was difficult for pharmacists to refuse to sell 
somebody a syringe just because they suspected it would be used for 
illegal purposes.

"What if they were diabetic and needed it for insulin? What if they 
are a drug addict and you refuse to sell them a needle - are you 
sending them down a road of re-using a dirty needle and putting 
themselves and others at risk of disease?"

These are questions that Ms Flynn and Andrew Daley, the new president 
of the BPA who is also championing the cause, would like to see taken 
out of pharmacists' hands.

The BPA is recommending the establishment of a needle-exchange 
programme, staffed by trained professionals.

"Educational resources and counselling have to be made available to 
these people so that they have an opportunity to rehabilitate 
themselves," Ms Flynn said.

"It would be much better for these people to be going into a place 
where they are known, at a central location where people are trained 
to deal with them and to help them, rather than putting pharmacists 
and shoppers at risk.

"I know this is a very religious island and lots of people might not 
think it's a good idea to give needles to drug users but it would be 
helping everyone from a public health perspective.

"It's better to have dirty needles off the streets."

She said there had been instances where needles had been washed up on 
the beach or dumped in the ocean.

"They are currently just discarded by drug addicts wherever they have 
finished using them. You don't want a child picking up a used needle 
and getting HIV or hepatitis."

She said the safety concern was a real one for pharmacists with many, 
particularly those in Hamilton, on the receiving end of rude and 
abusive behaviour from addicts seeking needles.

At least one pharmacy has stopped stocking diabetic needles out of 
concern for the safety of their staff.

Mr. Daley, emphasizing that he was giving his personal opinion, said 
he felt very strongly that he did not want to 'enable' drug users in 
his position as a pharmacist.

"I'd like to see an exchange programme for people who are using drugs 
and need fresh needles, where some professional will have the 
opportunity to try and move them from being a comfortable drug user' 
to a situation where they are thinking about recovery."

Mr Daley said he had yet to hear back from the chief medical officer 
on the issue but he accepted that it was a complex issue that would 
take time to resolve.

Government has yet to comment on the issue, but Health Minister 
Nelson Bascome said he would discuss it with Dr. Cann and Dale 
Butler, whose new social rehabilitation portfolio covers drugs, and 
make a statement next week.

What do you think? Would free needles reduce health risks or 
facilitate drug use? E-mail the editor:  ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman