GOLDEN AGERS URGE CITY HALL TO REJECT NEEDLE EXCHANGE

Editor, The News:

This is an open letter to Abbotsford city council members:

Re: Needle exchange program in Abbotsford.

The board of directors of the Clearbrook Golden Age Society, on
behalf of its more than 340 members, have passed a motion stating
their absolute opposition to the establishment of any type of "harm
reduction" programs (such as needle exchanges, safe injection sites,
methadone clinics, etc.) in the City of Abbotsford.

We would urge you, our elected representatives, to oppose any and all
applications, proposals, etc. to establish a needle exchange program
in Abbotsford.

In a recent edition of the Abbotsford News, it was reported that the
city has placed health as the number one priority for its residents.
The issue of needle exchanges will be more than a social planning
problem or a geographical zoning application; it is a
life-threatening health and medical issue.

The board also recommends that appropriate treatment centres (such as
detox) be provided the necessary funding to help treat IV drug users
get off this deadly disease rather than encouraging it by offering
free needle giveaways.

Abbotsford is a crossroads and a gateway to southern B.C., Canada and
the U.S. If we provide free needles, we could potentially become a
hub for drug activity.

Previously, we stated that this is a life-threatening health and
medical issue. The City of Abbotsford is getting a new hospital. Will
it house and provide a treatment facility? If there is to be a needle
exchange anywhere, it should be at a hospital.

And what about the $70 million-plus expansion at the federal Matsqui
prison complex, which will create the largest prison hospital in
Canada?

We are told that over 75 per cent of our prison population suffers
from drug addiction. This would seem to be the logical place for
detox and drug treatment. There are also other local treatment
centres available, including Teen Challenge in Yarrow and the
Salvation Army's Miracle Valley north of Mission.

We also understand that our Member of Parliament, Mr. Randy White,
has been asked to serve as vice-chairman of a special committee of
the House of Commons which has been charged with the responsibility
of studying the non-medical use of drugs within Canada and make
recommendations with regards to reducing problems associated with the
use of the same.

We would urge you again to resist and refrain from implementing any
type of "harm reduction" programs until the results of the "special
committee's" findings are published and our community has had the
opportunity for a full discussion over the implications of such
programs.

David Nickel, chairman

Frederick J. Hall, CEO/manager

Clearbrook Golden Age Society