Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) TIME TO TACKLE DRUG ISSUES While it's not a given that people who become homeless and/or hang out downtown for most the better part of their day will become addicted to injection drugs, odds are not in their favour. And it's a fact that property crime is connected to intravenous drug users. It's clear, then, the city and the Vancouver Island Health Authority need to come to grips with the fact that having no fixed needle exchange, from both a harm reduction and a crime prevention standpoint, is a symptom of a sick community. Tomorrow (Sept. 18) Harm Reduction Victoria will host a public forum called FIX Victoria and try yet again to get a handle on how to put a dent in this ongoing crisis. It's rather like a merry go round. A panel of experts, joined by someone helped by the system, sit in a panel and talk about the issues. Members of the public, some of whom have suffered at the hands of addicts, listen and occasionally toss out in frustration phrases like "something's gotta be done about this." Pressured by the politicians, the police get involved and for a while the problems subside. Then as the police change priorities, the problems resurface. The closure of the needle exchange is a symptom of a greater problem of general dis-ease in the downtown core, one that won't improve unless tough decisions are made. Like dedicating space to such a service, in conjunction with other recovery services for people battling substance abuse and homelessness. VIHA says it's committed to finding a solution in the aftermath of the closure of AIDS Vancouver Island's Cormorant Street needle exchange. It also admits that it has not taken action on finding a fixed site, and as we all know, actions speak louder than words. It's time for the health authority and the city to tackle the problem head-on and not skirt around the issue due to unfounded fears. Things will only get worse until they do. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath