Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jul 2007
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Kathy Michaels
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)

TENANTS ON PINS AND NEEDLES

Under the weather -- Rebecca Henning quickly puts up signs for 
Spillers Fruit Stand in Penticton as the rain pours down Wednesday morning.

Residents in the provincially subsidized Tower apartment on Winnipeg 
Street are frightened for their safety.

For months they've been dealing with an onslaught of events that have 
rattled the many seniors, and others with disabilities, who make the 
building their home.

But on the morning of July 15, they reached their limits when one of 
the building's residents was taking the elevator and a hypodermic 
needle pierced through his sneaker and into his foot, explained Jodi 
Miller, the representative of the newly formed Concerned Tenants Council.

Fearing that the needle could be infected with diseases the man, who 
wishes to remain anonymous, immediately went to the hospital and 
received immunization for Hepatitis B.

Although residents are of the belief the needle was HIV positive, Sam 
Rainboth communications manager for B.C. Housing said he's learned 
there wasn't sufficient material on the needle to make that assessment.

Additionally, Dr. Shawn Spelliscy, emergency physician at Kelowna 
General Hospital, said the likelihood of contracting HIV from a 
needle is very low.

Regardless of the outcome, the event has resonated with the older 
residents who have repeatedly faced everything from loud music, to 
smelling drugs in the hallway and encounters with people with a 
frightening demeanor.

"This was supposed to have been a seniors' building, and now we have 
all types in here," said tenant Regina Parker. "We have what looks 
like prostitutes walking our halls and we have others who look they 
are on major drugs."

What concerns both Parker and Miller is the senior residents feeling 
of no safety.

"They're afraid of going into the hallways and the elevators," said 
Parker. "The Wellness Centre is gone but their doors are open during 
the day, and anyone can walk in and come in and out."

The best solution to the problem would be increasing security, said Miller.

The group has discussed getting cameras in the building, and would 
like to see an increased presence from police officers and security staff.

"We have a key to get in and out of the building, but if (a stranger) 
is behind you, a senior won't say 'you can't come in,'" she said 
adding, it's imperative that illegal drug uses, of any kind, not find 
its way into the lives of innocent people who are already dealing 
with many health issues.

"We should be allowed to feel safe entering in and out of our 
building and not have to constantly be looking over our shoulders to 
make sure that no harm comes to any and all of our people."

Rainboth said security is sufficient at this point, and one of the 
issues at this time is that both building managers are on holiday at 
the same time, "This is unfortunate, but we'd like to make sure it 
won't happen again," he said adding that safety of tenants is always 
top priority.

As for the issue of the needle stick, Spelliscy said it's something 
that people should be aware is happening throughout the Okanagan.

"They should know we have seen over the last few years a number of 
people getting needles stick injuries," he said, adding people should 
be careful on parks and beaches and always wear shoes.

He also said it's very important that they people get immunized 
against hepatitis A and B, which is 100 per cent more likely to be 
acquired by that kind of injury than HIV.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman