Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Kenzie Louch NEEDLE EXCHANGE NEEDED NOW It is interesting that the Vancouver Island Health Authority has elected to impose a needle exchange on a neighbourhood in Nanaimo, while here in Victoria it has failed to allow even for the delivery of services via bicycle. In Nanaimo, in the face of opposition, VIHA claimed that a needle exchange was an essential health service, whereas in Victoria opposition has derailed the provision of an essential health service to one of the most vulnerable communities in the city. Evidence provided by academic researchers, VIHA and the mayor's task force have shown that harm reduction is necessary and that Victoria needs more of it to ensure the rights of all of its citizens. Not only has VIHA closed down the needle exchange, but it has limited access of workers to clients in the downtown core. It has been more than six months after the closure of the needle exchange, and there still has been no new service opened in its place. It is time to stand up for people's rights and help them gain access to an essential health service. Kenzie Louch Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: dan