Pubdate: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 Source: Community Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2007 Community Press Contact: http://www.communitypress-online.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1717 Author: Janet Richards Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) NEW HOME FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE Belleville - Downtown Belleville's needle exchange program has a new home at the Belleville Freedom Support Centre effective this week. The program moved as a result of the closure of the Front Street Shopper's Drug Mart store. The Belleville Freedom Support Centre is one of five in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties managed by the Mental Health Support Network. The support centres are run by and for people with lived experience with mental health and/or addictions issues. The Belleville Freedom Support Centre offers peer support, education, one dollar lunches, and recreational activities and resources on a drop-in basis. Elisabeth Ziegler, area site coordinator for the centre, said the needle exchange program is a good fit with the Freedom Support Centre, and staff and patrons were included in the decision to take on the program. "It's super, really," Ziegler said. "It's a natural extension of what we do." Ziegler said addiction and mental health issues can be related with some people self-medicating. She said anyone is welcome at the centre and visitors are not required to disclose personal information. Ziegler noted the needle exchange programs in Hastings and Prince Edward counties had 1,500 contacts and the downtown Belleville Shopper's Drug Mart location was dealing with about six needle exchanges each day. The Belleville Freedom Support Centre is located at 350 Front St., Unit C3. Anyone interested in further information can call 613-969-1772. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath