Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Brennan Clarke Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) DRUG CHAOS SPURS SUIT Needle Exchange Neighbours Upset With Chaos Created By Addicts After months of inaction from public officials, fed-up business owners and other neighbours of Victoria's needle exchange have turned to the courts to clean up the street problems centred around the Cormorant Street facility. A group of 13 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit July 5 aimed at stopping needle exchange clients from dealing drugs, injecting heroin, smoking crack and using the surrounding area as a giant outdoor toilet. Amelia Street lawyer Stewart Johnston, who is spearheading the legal action, said the group wants an interim court order requiring AIDS Vancouver Island to ensure needle exchange clients "refrain from carrying on activities near their property that cause problems for neighbours." Johnston said the lawsuit isn't necessarily an attempt to shut down the needle exchange, but he's skeptical about AVI's ability to continue operating in that location. "I think it would be impossible to operate out of that facility in a proper way," Johnston said. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath