EXCHANGE WORKING

More Needles Being Turned In

An increase in the use of the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit's
needle exchange program doesn't necessarily translate into more local
drug users, says Dr. David Colby.

The municipality's acting medical officer of health credits the
program's ambassador whom he calls an "unsung hero" for public health.

"That ambassador we have for the needle exchange program has a great
deal of trust and credibility in the at-risk sector of our
community," Colby said.

"My opinion is that person is doing such a good job and has succeeded
in bringing more and more people in the at-risk population to the
needle exchange program."

In 2006, there were 92,188 needles handed out and 96,601 returned.

That's higher than the 69,450 distributed and 83,957 collected in the
previous year and substantially more than the 35,517 needles
distributed and 44,288 collected in 2001.

For Marjorie Crew, a new health board member and founding member of
East Side Pride, those numbers translate into safer streets for her
neighbours and children.

"It's a big public health issue," she said, of the need for the program.

"It's to stop the spread of disease and to prevent the needles from
being left on sidewalks, in the parks and into the hands of our
children or on the streets where someone can accidentally puncture
themselves and accidentally become a victim."

She added a needle prick can bring a threat of exposure to HIV/AIDs
or other diseases.

"We've picked up a lot of needles over the years," Crew said, adding
"it's rare now that we will find one or get a call from a neighbour
that there's one."

As a lawyer and new health board member, Tom McGregor noted for some
people there's a "moral dilemma" in offering the needle exchange program.

"You almost appear to be promoting some sort of illegal activity," he
said, adding some may believe this program aids in drug use.

But he noted that's not the case.

"It's important that we get the message out . . . It's to protect the
children and the parks and streets."

Colby also noted the program helps to prevent the spread of disease
among drug users who might otherwise share their drugs, or from
spreading diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis to their family and friends.

Colby said HIV is spreading fastest among illegal drug users.