ADDICTS NEED A 'SAFE PLACE' TO SHOOT UP

Addicts should be provided a "safe place" to shoot up drugs and perhaps the
Fraser Valley could emulate Holland where society offers free drugs to addicts.

That's the opinion of four members of the 16-member Fraser Valley Health
Region board who spoke on behalf of establishing "safe injection sites,"
during a board meeting on July 4.

Safe injection sites are truly medical facilities, where diseases would be
prevented, said Marilyn Warren, health member representing Harrison-Agassiz.

She noted how addicts spread diseases such as Hepatitis C and AIDS/HIV by
sharing dirty needles.

No patience was expressed at the board meeting for communities that do not
allow needle exchanges. Currently, Mission has a bylaw preventing a needle
exchange program. This is a controversial issue in Abbotsford, where there
is a push to establish a needle exchange program in downtown Abbotsford
against the wishes of local businesses.

Diane Dryden, a Harrison health board representative, said the health
board, via the provincial government, could "sue" a community that refuses
to provide a safe injection site for addicts.

Dyane Betts, a Mission health board member, said needle exchange programs,
safe injection sites and counselling should be offered as well as treatment
programs.

Cathy Garvey, a Mission representative, also supports safe injection sites,
because it's safer for addicts to be supervised by doctors.

"Many, many people die in Vancouver and, die here locally; we should be
doing something here for harm reduction.

"These people are entitled to our care," she said. The health board is
responsible to the Ministry of Health.

The members of the Fraser Valley Health Region board are:

Ross Belsher, Abbotsford.

Dyane Betts, Mission.

Diane Dryden, Harrison.

Cathy Garvey, Mission.

Wanda Gordon, Chilliwack.

Dr. Joginder Grewal, Abbotsford.

Hans Holst, Abbotsford.

Diane Hundseth, Chilliwack.

Walter Kassian, Hope, Fraser Canyon.

Rollie Keith (chairman), Chilliwack.

Karen Laing, Mission.

Roxanne McKamey, Mission.

William Mussell, Aboriginal representative, Chilliwack.

Mark Nicholson, Hope.

George Peary, (executive board) Abbotsford.

Marilyn Warren (vice chair), Harrison/Kent/Agassiz.