Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2007 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites) NEEDLE DISPOSAL DESERVES SUPPORT Federal Drug Strategy Should See Value of Calgary's Model Program Calgary's needle-disposal program proves harm-reduction measures, while controversial, can be done safely and in a way that stops the spread of infectious diseases by substance abuse. The Calgary program, marking its 10th anniversary, has caught the attention of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta. The group thinks Calgary's program is so strong, it has recommended U.S. cities adopt it as a model for establishing their own safe needle initiatives. Too bad Ottawa hasn't appeared to notice. The federal Tories are expected to move away from harm-reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs and safe injection sites, when they release their anti-drug strategy next week. Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that seeks to lessen the dangers to society of drug abuse and drug policies. The Harper government's desire to take a tougher stand on substance abuse is commendable. But a sensible strategy must recognize -- or at least consider -- the basic tenet of harm reduction: That there's never been and never will be a drug-free society. Judging from the March budget, a hint of what the anti-drug strategy might look like, the feds haven't gotten the message. Although an additional $64 million over two years was announced for enforcement, treatment and prevention, there was no mention of funding for initiatives like Calgary's needle drop boxes. Those boxes help safely collect and dispose of intravenous needles to limit the spread of infectious diseases. "It's that type of program we're afraid will be threatened," says Leon Mar, spokesman for the Canadian HIV-AIDS Legal Network. "They haven't explicitly said they are getting rid of harm reduction, but the budget numbers speak for themselves." Since its launch 10 years ago, about 120,000 needles have been dropped into yellow boxes spread throughout the inner city. They are collected by the Calgary Fire Department. The needle box program was developed with help from the health region's Safeworks Calgary, which operates a needle exchange service where addicts may trade dirty needles for sterile ones. The needle disposal and exchange programs, both considered harm-reduction measures, complement each other. Ottawa appears to be more worried about the supervised injection site in Vancouver, expressing concern that government involvement might constitute the facilitating of drug abuse. But in its haste to move away from what it perceives as legitimizing sites where known drug use is permitted, the federal government mustn't lose sight of numerous community programs that help keep the public safe. The needle disposal box was introduced as a direct result of community concerns over a proliferation of discarded needles on playgrounds, schoolyards, public parks, gutters and downtown streets. Today, an average of 20,000 dirty needles a year are being safely diverted to the city's biohazard disposal boxes. Along with enforcement, treatment and prevention, the federal government must recognize harm reduction as a necessary pillar in fighting the war on drugs. Such programs ultimately help addicts, and keep the public safer. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake