PRINCESS AVE NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS NIXED
Nov 16, 2009
THE VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY HAS DECIDED not TO PROCEED WITH A PROPOSAL TO OPEN A FIXED SITE NEEDLE EXCHANGE CENTRE ON PRINCESS AVENUE IN DOWTOWN VICTORIA...AND FURTHERMORE...WILL EXPEND NO FURTHER ENERGY TRYING TO IDENTIFY A SUITABLE LOCATION.
AUTHORITY C-E-O HOWARD WALDNER HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT, READING IN PART "IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A NEEDLE EXCHANGE SITE THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ANY NEIGHBOURHOOD".
V-I-H-A SAYS IT WILL SHIFT ITS FOCUS TO A DIFFERENT MODEL FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGES...SEVERAL SMALLER, LESS INTRUSIVE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING THE LIKES OF PHARMACIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRES.
V-I-H-A SAID A MONTH AGO THAT IT WOULD STUDY THAT OPTION. IT HAS NOW CONCLUDED THAT IS THE PREFERED METHOD FOR PROVIDING EXCHANGE SERVICES FOR INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS.
V-I-H-A BELIEVES ITS HARM REDUCTION APPROACH IS EFFECTIVE...POINTING TO NEW STATISTICS THAT SHOW A MARGINAL DECREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF STREET PEOPLE WHO ARE H-I-V POSITIVE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
- fms
