Pubdate: Wed, 14 May 2008 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: David Turner RESEARCH SHOWS FACILITY SAVES LIVES, CUTS COSTS It has long been well-recognized that needle exchanges save money for the health system and save lives. In March 1997, a National Institutes of Health report concluded that needle-exchange programs "show a reduction in risk behaviours as high as 80 per cent in injecting drug users, with estimates of a 30 per cent or greater reduction of HIV." The panel also concluded that the preponderance of evidence shows either a decrease in injection drug use among participants or no changes in their current levels of drug use. Some studies show the presence of support staff can be a key component, something that would be limited in a mobile needle-exchange unit. Yet here we are, with two weeks to go, and the Vancouver Island Health Authority is not accepting its responsibility to help AIDS Vancouver Island find an alternate site for this essential health service. Would we deny addicted smokers access to nicotine-free cigarettes, children access to vaccinations or sexually active people access to condoms? Not in today's world. So why do we deny drug users access to clean needles which reduces the transmission of serious diseases? Thumbs down to VIHA for its lack of consultation, to council for its lack of leadership and to our community for its intolerant attitudes. I understand the street situation outside the location on Cormorant Street is now under control. Why not let the needle exchange move to the Pandora site immediately on a trial basis? David Turner Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom