IV DRUG PROBLEM IN SEA TO SKY COMMUNITIES

It may be difficult to see, and even more difficult to believe, but
local health officials say there is an IV drug problem in the Sea to
Sky corridor.

When presenting the Provincial Health Officers Annual Report to
Pemberton Village Council, June 5, Dr. Paul Martiquet informed
councillors of the severity of the problem.

"There is a big intravenous drug problem in Pemberton," he said. "It
may not be evident or visible, but it is there just the same."

But Marilyn McIvor, public health nursing manager for Coast Garibaldi
Health, maintains IV drug use is a problem in all communities.

"There is IV drug use everywhere in the province," she said. "I don't
think it's higher in Pemberton than any other community in the Sea to
Sky corridor."

According to McIvor, over the years used needles have been found in
the playground at Signal Hill in Pemberton, at Myrtle Philip School
in Whistler, and in the park in downtown Squamish.

To minimize communicable diseases spread by sharing needles, and to
connect intravenous drug users with community resources, Coast
Garibaldi Health wants to establish a needle exchange program in the
Sea to Sky Corridor.

"We've formed a steering committee which includes the RCMP, Squamish
General Hospital, Coast Garibaldi Health, and alcohol and drug
services," she explained. "Right now we're looking for a co-ordinator
for the program."

The program is still in the planning stages, but McIvor said she
hopes to get the needle exchange up and running soon.

"We're still working on exchange times and schedules, but as soon as
we have a co-ordinator we will start the program in Squamish first."