NEEDLE EXCHANGE ANSWERS NEEDED

The question is not whether the needle exchange should be located at
the proposed Pandora Avenue location, but rather what safeguards
should be implemented to address the community's fears.

What are the details regarding the proposed police presence -- how
many officers with what mandate? Can the hours of operation for the
exchange be flexible to accommodate the wishes of St. Andrew's school
and Victoria Conservatory of Music? Where will clients wait for access
to the exchange --is there to be a courtyard in back or a designated
waiting area?

Any of these arrangements would minimize the street presence and the
potential loitering that is so disturbing at the current Cormorant
Street location.

There needs to be an ongoing committee consisting of staff and parent
representatives of St. Andrew's, someone from the conservatory and
staff representatives from Our Place and the needle exchange.

This group should meet regularly and be able to address any concerns
immediately.

Perhaps the needle exchange location could have an initial mandate for
one year, to be evaluated at the end.

Sheila Kaye,

Victoria