SAFE NEEDLES EYED

City Health Officials Re-Examining Use Of Retractable Syringes In
Exchange Programs

City public health officials are looking at different kinds of safety
syringes that would pose less of a risk if littered on the streets.

Paul Lavigne, a harm reduction project officer, said they have
investigated whether other countries with needle exchange programs
distribute safety syringes.

"Nobody is doing this," Lavigne said.

"No needle exchange program in the world is doing this. We are boldly
going where no other needle exchange program has gone."

There are several different types of safety syringes, the most common
is the retractable or onetime use syringe. There are also safety
needles that come with special tips to protect a person from getting
pricked.

POLICY CHANGE

The Shepherds of Good Hope recently decided to change its needle
exchange policy. The shelter now only gives out clean needles if
addicts bring in used ones.

There are 13 agencies in the city that offer a free needle exchange to
drug addicts as part of an effort to reduce the spread of HIV and
hepatitis C.

Some city councillors and residents have praised the Shepherds of Good
Hope's new policy, saying it will mean less dirty needles on
sidewalks, park benches and playgrounds, where children or others
could prick themselves.

Lavigne and other agencies involved in the needle exchange program say
it could lead to more sharing of used needles and won't necessarily
result in fewer syringes littered on the streets.

Discarded retractable needles on the streets or sidewalks would pose
less of a risk to the public, Lavigne said.

"We are trying to balance the need for individual safety and community
safety," he said.

FUNDED BY PROVINCE

In 2002, the city conducted a feasibility study looking at the cost
and safety of onetime use needles. It determined they were too
expensive for the needle exchange program, which is mostly funded by
the province, Lavigne explained. The needles the agencies currently
hand out cost about 11cents, while the safety syringes in the study
were more than $1 a piece.

Lavigne said the price has since come down, falling to less than
50cents for retractable and safety tip syringes.

City health officials will soon begin testing the different kinds of
safety syringes that made their short list.

When they conducted tests six years ago, some of the needles were
defective. The needle would start to retract while it was still in the
vein, Lavigne said. "There are huge health and liability
considerations we have to look at if the mechanism malfunctions."