Pubdate: Tue, 14 Feb 2012
Source: Alberni Valley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Alberni Valley Times
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouverisland/albernivalleytimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4043
Author: Heather Thomson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

HARM REDUCTION HITS CENTRE STAGE

After working for more than a year, the Harm Reduction Round Table is 
launching its Safe Needle Disposal Took Kit this week.

The group, which is a sub-committee of the Alberni Valley Social 
Planning Council, is partnering with the Vancouver Island Health 
Authority to offer the kit. Spokesman Myron Jesperson said it is 
important to focus on harm reduction, even though sometimes people 
consider it controversial.

He stressed that often addictions are hard to beat, and it is not as 
easy as just stopping. Harm reduction can act as a bridge for people 
who are not yet ready for treatment or rehabilitation. It is also 
known to reduce other risk factors such as overdose or the spread of diseases.

The kit will offer information for people on proper disposal of 
needles or drug paraphernalia. It will include disposal sites for 
needles and resources in the community. It was developed in response 
to community concerns of discarded syringes in public spaces. 
Building on the work by the cities of Victoria and Duncan, the 
committee will introduce a prevention guide to assist citizens, 
businesses and community agencies to deal proactively with the issue 
of improperly discarded needles.

"Obviously we want them to stop, but they aren't all going to do 
that," Jespersen explained. "You can't fight human nature."

He compared the kits to putting up guard rails on the side of the 
highway. If no one ever drove over the speed limit these would not be 
necessary.

He said it will also offer economic benefits to the community, 
especially in the justice and health departments.

Medical health officer for Central Vancouver Island Dr. Paul 
Hasselback said harm reduction is part of the four pillars in 
treating addiction issues. The others include prevention, enforcement 
and treatment.

"We offer support and recognition that some people aren't in a place 
to treat the disease, but we can help protect them with harm 
reduction," he said.

Hasselback said harm reduction is often controversial because people 
think of it as accepting a lifestyle that they do not like. He said 
that is not the case. It is about offering support in different stages.

He stressed that harm reduction is different depending on the 
community needs. He believes Port Alberni is taking a step that is 
proportionate to the needs of a city its size.

More details about the kit will be released on Thursday when they are 
officially launched at the Launch, Lunch and Learn event at the 
Friendship Center.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom