Pubdate: Mon, 13 Apr 2009
Source: Northwest Territories News North (CN NT)
Copyright: 2009 Northern News Services Ltd
Contact:  http://www.nnsl.com/nwtnewsnorth/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4688
Author: Tim Edwards
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

CLEAN NEEDLES AVAILABLE FOR DRUG ADDICTS

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - NWT residents may be surprised to know that a 
needle exchange program has been in place in the territory since 1991.

When asked, neither Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro or Mayor Gordon Van 
Tighem knew the program existed, though the mayor said he assumed one 
was likely operating in Yellowknife.

"I know they exist, I know what they're for, and I assumed there was 
one here," said Van Tighem.

The program is a "harm reduction" measure that allows intravenous 
drug users access to free needles in an attempt to thwart the spread 
of transmittable diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV.

Wanda White, communicable disease specialist for the Department of 
Health and Social Services, said while the program has been in place 
for 18 years, it is "underutilized" by the addicted population.

She said that's unfortunate because the program is a valuable tool in 
preventing diseases from spreading. Needles are available in both 
Yellowknife and Inuvik.

"If we can stop a young person from getting HIV and hepatitis C, when 
they stop using drugs they can really get healthy," said White.

White said there have been 376 cases of hepatitis C since the 
department started recording them in 1991, adding that there have 
been "40, 50 cases per year in the last few years."

HIV, though, hasn't been as prevalent.

"HIV hasn't exploded in the North as it has in other jurisdictions," 
said White.

"I don't think it reflects a low amount of high risk activity. I just 
don't think HIV has gotten into the mix so far."

There have been only 35 cases of HIV reported in the NWT since the 
first recorded case in 1987. White said the health department 
continues to see a couple cases every year.

She said that in Canada during the mid-1990s, HIV started becoming 
very apparent among intravenous drug users, whereas before it had 
been most visible among the male homosexuals. It was after that that 
the needle exchange program began rolling.

"The NWT, and the rest of Canada, put forward a directive to provide 
clean needles whenever a request comes in," said White.

It is now a simple process for an addict to get a syringe from public 
health officials at the Jan Stirling Centre on Franklin Ave.

"You just present yourself to Public Health and request them and they 
give them to you, no questions asked," said White.

She said she didn't have any information on how many needles are given out.

City councillor Lydia Bardak, who is a member of the Community 
Service Patrol -- a team of volunteers who give "safe, friendly, free 
cab rides" to intoxicated or homeless people -- said she has heard of 
the needle exchange program but doesn't "think of it as a program. 
It's not something that's promoted."

She told Yellowknifer that although there is a problem with 
intravenous drug use in Yellowknife, it is not as evident here as it 
is in other places in Canada.

"In the last two or three years there has been a steady increase (in 
IV drug use), but I don't see it on the streets," said Bardak.

"I've walked through the streets of Vancouver and the needles are 
very evident."

In Vancouver, used needles littering alleys and parks led to a major 
public health concern.

Bardak said she has spoken with people she knows who work regularly 
with addicts, and there is one place in town where she knows needles 
have been found discarded.

"There is a hidden park in the trees off Frame Lake trail where 
needles have been found," said Bardak.

"Not the one by the pool, but there's an abandoned park on the rocks 
off the trail."

Bardak said while the needle exchange program is valuable in curbing 
the spread of disease, drug use itself is "a fatal disease" and 
efforts should be concentrated on preventing addiction.

"We have to beef up preventative measures and stop kids from wanting 
to start doing drugs," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom