Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 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: Heather Hobbs

FIXED NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS LONG OVERDUE

Re: "Researcher says health standards not followed," April 7.

Victoria's only fixed-site needle exchange was severely 
under-resourced. When coupled with a housing crisis, this led to an 
unworkable situation for all. Yet replacing the fixed-site with a 
sorely inadequate mobile service is not workable either.

Needle exchange services have been restricted from a two-block radius 
around St. Andrew's School, creating a nucleus for an inevitable 
public health disaster. This area is populated by many of Victoria's 
most marginalized people who use drugs. Restricting service delivery 
in this area is a shocking dare to bring about hepatitis C and HIV epidemics.

This service delivery restriction must be lifted immediately. 
Establish adequately resourced needle and syringe distribution 
services immediately to prevent disease transmission. Get the needles 
off our streets: Open supervised injection services now.

Will the VIHA board wait for a lawsuit before they take action to 
provide the health services our community has the right to?

Heather Hobbs

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart