Pubdate: Thu, 08 Mar 2012
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Rochelle Baker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

ANTI-HARM UNDER FIRE

Positive Living Pokes at Abby Over Lack of Needle Exchange

The City of Abbotsford is drawing fire yet again for its antagonistic 
stance around harm reduction measures to deal with drug addiction.

The Positive Living Society of BC has written to Mayor Bruce Banman 
and council to repeal the city's anti-harm reduction bylaws.

"Simply stated, harm reduction measures improve individual and public 
health outcomes by reducing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C," wrote 
the society's board chair Ken Buchanan in his Feb. 8 letter.

The city's 2005 bylaw banned harm reduction facilities such as needle 
exchanges or injection sites in all zones of the city.

Fraser Health has repeatedly emphasized the need to establish harm 
reduction measures in Abbotsford.

The Fraser East region, which includes Abbotsford, has the third 
highest reported rate of Hep C incidence in B.C., according to Fraser 
Health's most current data.

Additionally, Abbotsford has a Hep C rate of 69.6 per 100,000 people, 
compared to the surrounding municipalities of Chilliwack at a rate of 
67.6, and Surrey at 60.2.

A long-promised review of the bylaw is expected to come before 
council this spring.

Abbotsford's "regressive" bylaws contribute to the cycle of harm that 
drug users are exposed to and create barriers to safer drug use, said 
Buchanan, adding the society fully supports treatment for addictions.

"People go into treatment when it's right for them, in the meantime, 
they shouldn't be exposed to HIV and Hep C," he told the Times.

Mayor Bruce Banman, a chiropractor, said his personal opinion about 
harm reduction is derived from a medical perspective.

"We need to look at our harm reduction policy, especially with 
regards to a needle exchange," said Banman, adding such programs 
alleviate costs on the medical system by preventing the spread of disease.

"Having needles returned also means they are not discarded in 
streets, harming the public and putting our children in harm's way."

Harm reduction also allows addicts regular contact with health 
professionals, who can help people seek treatment when they want it, he said.

Banman could not speak for the remainder of council on the issue.

"I understand it's a highly emotional factor for people who have the 
notion it's condoning the use of drugs," he said.

"But in my experience, I have yet to meet an addict, using or clean, 
who enjoys being an addict."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom