Pubdate: Tue, 26 Aug 2008
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Wy0dnBlK
Website: http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Shane Thomas

MORE INFORMATION ON USED NEEDLES

Dear editor,

Finding used needles that have been left behind can pose a lot of 
troubling questions.

Are they a health risk? Are there people using needles to inject 
illegal drugs in our community? And why are they being left around, 
instead of being disposed of in a more responsible way? What if 
children stumble upon them?

First, please know that abandoned needles do not pose a serious 
health risk to anyone.

Several research studies have cited that most blood-borne viruses, 
such as HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and Hepatitis C cannot live 
on the outside of a needle long enough to cause an infection if 
someone gets accidentally poked.

In fact, no one to date has ever been infected with HIV or Hepatitis 
C through an abandoned needle poke injury.

There are others, however, such as tetanus, Hepatitis B, and many 
bacterial infections that may occur after an accidental needle poke.

But, most of these can be easily treated and cured with the right 
medications, and/or vaccinated against. Thus, the serious health risk 
of an accidental needle stick injury is very, very low.

Second, yes - substance use and addiction is a condition that has 
been with humanity for thousands of years. Addiction and illegal 
drugs are often a really uncomfortable and unacceptable reality for 
most folks. It is well known by social service providers that no 
community on our Island, in the province, or across our country is 
without its substance use challenges.

There are services in Port Hardy to help folks who may be struggling 
with addiction to reduce the harm associated with their drug use, to 
not only keep them healthier but also minimize the impact on the 
whole community.

Lastly, it is not always clear why certain folks may leave their 
needles out in the open instead of disposing of them more carefully.

Some of the reasons we have witnessed include such things as fear of 
being found out by family and friends and being judged or rejected, 
lack of housing or of apprehension by police.

AIDS Vancouver Island distributes between 2,000-5,000 needles per 
month in the region, and nearly all of these needles are sent for 
appropriate disposal as medical waste.

This indicates that most people using needles for injection in this 
region are acting responsibly and safely in the disposal of their needles.

As for children, it is common for them to want to satisfy their 
natural curiosity and explore something new they might find. This can 
sometimes include needles they might find.

It's important for communities to teach children that needles are not 
toys, with a calm, clear message.

If anyone would like more information on how to teach their kids 
about this, please do not hesitate to contact us at (250) 949-0432.

Shane Thomas
AIDS Vancouver Island 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart