Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Rebecca Aldous NEEDLE EXCHANGE RATE DOWN WITH MOBILE UNITS Since Victoria's main fixed-site needle exchange shut down there has been a drop in exchanges, but that was expected, Vancouver Island Health Authority CEO Howard Waldner says. "Obviously we are in the middle of a change so no the numbers are not yet at (the previous) level but we are moving in the right direction," he said. At the end of May, the AIDS Vancouver Island-run Cormorant Street needle exchange location was closed after being served with an eviction notice spurred by a flurry of neighbourhood complaints about disorder and waste. In June, the organization, which is funded by VIHA, started needle exchanges from mobile units. The project is still in its early days but has seen an increase in users since it got rolling, Waldner said. "We aren't publicizing the absolute numbers because we want to give (the program) time to settle in," Waldner said. "But we are encouraged." Victoria currently has two fixed-site needle exchanges - one at a public health clinic at 1947 Cook St. and the other run by the Cool Aid Society - but unlike the AVI location did, they don't solely focus on needle exchange and harm reduction. The mobile exchange unit is complemented by a mix of other services, Waldner said. AVI is trying a range of different strategies, including placing extra staff in more locations, to try at boost needle exchange numbers, AVI executive director Katrina Jensen said. Other than stating numbers are down, she would not comment on the current level of exchange. Fixed and mobile needle exchanges cater to different groups, said Bernie Pauly, assistant professor an the University of Victoria's school of nursing. Both working in unison have been proven as an effect method of harm reduction, she said. "Harm reduction services like needle exchanges provide a point of access into health services," Pauly said. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart