PHARMACISTS PUSH FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

A syringe exchange programme, allowing drug addicts to exchange dirty
needles for clean ones, has been recommended by the island's pharmacists.

They are concerned that addicts are buying diabetic syringes from
pharmacies, using them to 'shoot up' and failing to safely dispose of them.

The Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) raised the issue after
its members reported a series of incidents involving drug abusers.
The BPA represents roughly 60 island pharmacists.

One member told of locking up at night, only to find a drug addict in
the pharmacy's stairwell getting ready to shoot up with the syringe
she had just bought.

In another incident, a man used a pharmacy bathroom to inject drugs
and left his used needle in the garbage.

In July last year, Leah Flynn, past-president of the BPA, wrote to
the Bermuda Pharmacy Council, the regulatory body, on behalf of
pharmacists urging them to address the issue.

Ethical issue

It is understood that the letter was forwarded to chief medical
officer Dr John Cann, though Dr Cann said he was unable to comment
until he had looked into the matter further.

Ms Flynn, who works at Hamilton Pharmacy, cited a major public health
concern and an ethical issue for pharmacists.

"You have an inkling that somebody is not intending to use a needle
for insulin when they come in and buy two diabetic syringes. A
diabetic would normally buy in bulk."

But she said it was difficult for pharmacists to refuse to sell
somebody a syringe just because they suspected it would be used for
illegal purposes.

"What if they were diabetic and needed it for insulin? What if they
are a drug addict and you refuse to sell them a needle - are you
sending them down a road of re-using a dirty needle and putting
themselves and others at risk of disease?"

These are questions that Ms Flynn and Andrew Daley, the new president
of the BPA who is also championing the cause, would like to see taken
out of pharmacists' hands.

The BPA is recommending the establishment of a needle-exchange
programme, staffed by trained professionals.

"Educational resources and counselling have to be made available to
these people so that they have an opportunity to rehabilitate
themselves," Ms Flynn said.

"It would be much better for these people to be going into a place
where they are known, at a central location where people are trained
to deal with them and to help them, rather than putting pharmacists
and shoppers at risk.

"I know this is a very religious island and lots of people might not
think it's a good idea to give needles to drug users but it would be
helping everyone from a public health perspective.

"It's better to have dirty needles off the streets."

She said there had been instances where needles had been washed up on
the beach or dumped in the ocean.

"They are currently just discarded by drug addicts wherever they have
finished using them. You don't want a child picking up a used needle
and getting HIV or hepatitis."

She said the safety concern was a real one for pharmacists with many,
particularly those in Hamilton, on the receiving end of rude and
abusive behaviour from addicts seeking needles.

At least one pharmacy has stopped stocking diabetic needles out of
concern for the safety of their staff.

Mr. Daley, emphasizing that he was giving his personal opinion, said
he felt very strongly that he did not want to 'enable' drug users in
his position as a pharmacist.

"I'd like to see an exchange programme for people who are using drugs
and need fresh needles, where some professional will have the
opportunity to try and move them from being a comfortable drug user'
to a situation where they are thinking about recovery."

Mr Daley said he had yet to hear back from the chief medical officer
on the issue but he accepted that it was a complex issue that would
take time to resolve.

Government has yet to comment on the issue, but Health Minister
Nelson Bascome said he would discuss it with Dr. Cann and Dale
Butler, whose new social rehabilitation portfolio covers drugs, and
make a statement next week.

What do you think? Would free needles reduce health risks or
facilitate drug use? E-mail the editor: tmcwilliam@bermudasun.bm