Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB) Copyright: 2013 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833 Author: Gillian Slade NEEDLE EXCHANGE HUGE IN THE HAT Medicine Hat provides more needles to drug users per capita than anywhere else in Alberta, according to a recent CBC News report. "Between 15,000 to 18,000 needles are given out per month to about 200 regular clients," said Barbra Madonka, program manager at Medicine Hat Cares Centre, a downtown drop-in centre that opened in 2010 and offers a needle exchange, counselling and referrals. "Last year we gave out 175,000 needles." She says her colleagues in Calgary are surprised by the numbers for the size of this community but adds this does not necessarily mean there is a higher use of drugs in the Gas City. Madonka says there are some transients using the services, including some from as far away at Ontario, who stay a while. "When we first opened in 2010 the community was not receptive but now the need is beginning to be understood," said Madonka. The program is all about harm reduction, reducing the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, AIDS and HIV, reducing the cost of health care and ultimately developing a relationship of trust, through counselling, case management and then connecting drug users to addictions services when they are ready. Madonka says there have been reports of successes when the client has connected with those services. Nobody understands the need of a detox facility better than the Cares Centre staff. "It is long overdue," said Madonka. "Our clients are asking about this and say they want help. To send people to Calgary for residential detoxification removes them from family support here." The number of needles used per day per user can change depending on the circumstances and stress levels of the addict, she said. "Nobody ever wakes up one day and decides to be an addict and it's not about middle class or low income either," said Madonka. "Cares Centre is not about enabling the addict. We would like our community to understand the concept of harm reduction." Madonka says without a needle exchange program, drug users would simply re-use the needles. They would not cease to be drug addicts. Most clients return the used needles for secure disposal. "It improves public safety by ensuring needles are properly disposed of instead of littered around the community," said Madonka. The number of needles has consistently increased. In 2004 the Hatworks program, run out of the HIV/AIDS Network of South Eastern Alberta Association, was giving out 2,000 to 2,500 needles a month. By January 2011 that number had climbed to 10,000. Madonka says a few people come for needles who are not drug addicts - people on steroids and occasionally someone needing insulin. There is a mobile addictions outreach initiative run by McMan Youth Family and Community Services helping find those who are not using Cares Centre. The Cares Centre is funded by Alberta Community HIV Fund, AIDS Calgary and grants. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt