NEEDLE EXCHANGE DESERVES A CHANCE

The pause in the planned relocation of the needle exchange to Pandora
Avenue is welcome given neighbours' concerns and the flawed way in
which the project has been handled.

But the proposed location offers many advantages, for both the larger
community and the people who will use the service. The challenge now
is to find solutions, particularly to the legitimate concerns raised
by St. Andrew's Elementary School and the Victoria Conservatory of
Music.

The evidence is that needle exchanges are an important part of our
response to intravenous drug use. Supplying users with clean needles
reduces the spread of hepatitis, HIV and other infections. That's good
for them and taxpayers. Preventing a single case of HIV saves the
health-care system $250,000.

The exchanges reduce the number of discarded needles on streets. The
existing needle exchange took in and collected more than it
distributed last year.

And they connect addicts with other services that help them manage or
reduce their drug use and related problems.

As neighbours of the current Cormorant Street exchange can attest,
needle exchanges can also bring significant problems. For too long,
nearby residents endured day and night disruptions, garbage, vandalism
and lawlessness.

The challenge for the city, the Vancouver Island Health Authority and
AIDS Vancouver Island, which operates the exchange, is to demonstrate
why that won't happen in the new location. It's a challenge made much
greater by the prolonged delay in responding to problems at the
Cormorant Street site.

But there is reason to believe things can be different. The situation
around the current exchange has already improved with additional
staffing and police presence.

And the new location offers significant advantages. The former St.
John Ambulance building is large enough to ensure people don't
congregate outside on the street; the building will include a range of
additional services that will allow more effective support; and
Victoria police have promised to maintain a presence. The exchange's
activities can also be supported by the new Our Place centre in the
area.

Many nearby residents -- and especially the St. Andrew's school
community -- are skeptical. Their concerns have been heightened by the
lack of consultation and communication about the project by VIHA and
the city.

But their concerns can be addressed. With commitment from all parties,
St. Andrew's and the conservatory can be spared any harmful effects.

The problem now is the lack of trust. It will not be enough for the
city and VIHA to promise to do better.

Plans for every aspect of the needle exchange's operation, from hours
to police presence, need to be clearly set out. Ways of reducing
problems -- perhaps by serving hard-to-manage clients with a mobile
exchange, rather than requiring them to come to Pandora -- should be
part of the plan. And the city, VIHA and AIDS Vancouver Island must
demonstrate that the budgets are in place to support the plans.

A needle exchange program is necessary. The proposed site makes sense.
It's time to find a way to get the project on track.