Pubdate: Sat, 15 Aug 2015
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2015 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.capebretonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777
Author: Adrianna Rudderham
Page: C3

REFLECTING ON ADDICTION

Cape Breton has over double the provincial rate of Hepatitis C

Injection drug use is a problem, both worldwide and in our own
backyards.

To give some perspective on just how many people may be injecting
drugs in Cape Breton, the Sharp Advice needle exchange, operated by
the ALLY Centre ( former AIDS Coalition), dispensed over 620,000
needles in 2014 and accepted 642,000 used needles back. This was an
increase of 100,000 from the previous year.

What we can take from this is that either users are being more
responsible by accessing new equipment and/or the number of injection
drug users is rising. The answer is likely both.

A recent presentation concerning injection drug use has brought new
information to a situation that I was not aware of before. This study,
conducted by Dr. Margaret Dechman, Janet Bickerton, RN, and Christine
Porter (ALLY Centre), has got me thinking about what needs to be done
here in Cape Breton as we move forward to help better understand the
issues around injection drug use such as the number of people
injecting drugs and the rising rates of blood borne pathogen
infections, specifically Hepatitis C.

Currently, Cape Breton has over double the provincial rate of Hep C,
and 37 per cent of new cases in 2014 were among those younger than 25
years of age.

Several factors that may lead a person to become addicted to injecting
drugs were discussed including:

*the compelling influence the human brain plays on continuing the
addiction

*past trauma ( like childhood and/or sexual abuse)

*the need to fit in with friends and significant others

*and being repeatedly exposed to substances (in other words becoming a
product of your own environment)

I also heard about the impact that the determinants of health play in
relation to illicit drug use. Here in Cape Breton, because our economy
is suffering, we may not realize the impact that this has on the level
of illicit drug use in our community. Lack of work, fewer people with
stable incomes, lower literacy levels and barriers to post-secondary
education (especially for youth) are factors that contribute to an
increase in substance use among our population.

In terms of immediate action, harm reduction may be our best defense
while we continue to work on the bigger issues facing our people.
There are many misconceptions about what harm reduction is but, simply
put, it means accepting a person as they are and working with them to
help them be as safe and healthy as possible in their current
situation rather than setting up unrealistic expectations that they
can be "fixed" right now or stop their use totally.

Some of the harm reduction strategies currently being used in Cape
Breton include the island wide Needle Exchange program that is
operated through the ALLY Centre. This program reduces the risk of
acquiring or spreading blood borne pathogens like Hepatitis B and C,
which ultimately protects us all. The exchange makes use of a network
of volunteer ' natural helpers' who help distribute and collect
injection supplies. People may not understand or value the role of
natural helpers, but most often they are the only connection between a
person who injects drugs and health services in their community.

As helpful as these strategies are, there is much more to be done.
Having more access to clean supplies available throughout the island
is important in order to decrease the spread of blood borne pathogens.
Maybe we should think about making it possible for people to access
clean supplies at all pharmacies or emergency departments in rural
hospitals/health centers.

The presentation concluded with a discussion about preventing
addiction, particularly among our youth. Dave Sawlor from the
Undercurrent Youth Club, through his short film, The Faces of
Addiction, talked about the need for us to create more opportunities
for youth to enable youth to help choose a path where drug use is not
the chosen option. Several programs here in Cape Breton such as the
Undercurrent Youth Club are trying to do just that.

Just as Dave from the Undercurrent ends his sessions, I ask you to get
involved, to volunteer and support your local youth clubs and to
challenge yourself to think about what you can do to help turn the
tide on addiction and make your community a better and healthier place
for all.

Adrianna Rudderham is currently a fourth-year nursing student. She lives 
in Coxheath.
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MAP posted-by: Matt