DON'T BELIEVE THE PROMISES ON NEEDLES

Parents of children attending St. Andrew's school or the Victoria
Conservatory of Music should raise the strongest possible objection
to the relocation of the needle exchange to their area.

Having had the needle exchange near Bastion Square approximately a
hundred feet from the back door of my business for several years, I
can tell them it will be a nightmare.

Do not believe the promises of the Victoria police, city or the
operators of the exchange. In Bastion Square, increased police
presence consisted of a police officer breezing by on a bicycle every
four hours.

We also received all the empty promises. However, once the exchange
moved in, there was no assistance from any source in trying to sort
out the problems created by its presence.

As for the city, one need only look at how it has handled other
problems downtown. The Vancouver Island Health Authority's suggestion
that things will be different this time is absurd; as evidence, one
need only look at lack of consultation with potential neighbours.

All concerned must continue to pressure VIHA for a more suitable
location. This place attracted some of the scariest individuals I
have come in contact with, and anywhere around children is not an
appropriate location.

Don Robertson

Victoria