Dec 12, 2008
BC’S MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER SAYS THE VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY NEEDS TO DO RAPID ASSESSMENT TO SEE IF THE RATES OF HIV AND HEPATITIS-C HAVE GONE UP SINCE VICTORIA’S NEEDLE EXCHANGE CLOSED DOWN.
DR. PERRY KENDALL SAYS THE LACK OF A FIXED LOCATION FOR DRUG USERS TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF NEEDLES IS LEADING TO MORE NEEDLES STAYING ON THE STREETS.
“THERE’S BEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF NEEDLES RETURNED SO THAT MEANS THAT NEEDLES ARE OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE POTENTIALLY BEING SHARED.”
KENDALL SAYS HE THINKS VIHA NEEDS TO FIND A FIXED LOCATION FOR A NEW NEEDLE EXCHANGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
“IT WOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR ME IF I WAS RUNNING THE SERVICES ON VANCOUVER ISLAND.”
THE VICTORIA NEEDLE EXCHANGE ON CORMORANT STREET WAS CLOSED DOWN AFTER BEING EVICTED OVER CONCERNS REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR OF DRUG USERS USING THE FACILITY.
KENDALL MADE THE COMMENTS THIS MORNING ON THE CFAX1070 NEWSLINE PROGRAM.
VICTORIA’S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE SAYS EFFORTS ARE STILL UNDERWAY TO FIND ONE OR MORE LOCATIONS FOR A FIXED SITE NEEDLE EXCHANGE CENTRE IN THE CITY.
DR MURRAY FYFE SAYS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN MEETING WITH VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
FYFE AGREES WITH PROVINCIAL MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER PERRY KENDALL WHO EXPRESSED CONCERNS TODAY ABOUT THEIR LACK OF A CENTRAL EXCHANGE SITE IN VICTORIA.
