NEW NEEDLE EXCHANGE WOULD AFFECT LIVES OF MANY

There is more to Pandora Avenue than St. Andrew's school, the
Victoria Conservatory of Music and Our Place. In the block adjacent
to the proposed location for the needle exchange, Pandora becomes
residential and many people live close to the site. I live in a
30-unit condominium about 250 feet from the site. Our building is
filled mostly with seniors, but there are a couple of children.

Neighbourhood concerns had been increasing because we knew that Our
Place was soon to become fully operational and feared that the
drug-fuelled chaos generated by the Open Door and Upper Room a few
years ago would return. The news that the needle exchange was coming
caught us off guard and caused terror for most of us.

We are told that logic dictates this site as most appropriate. I
suppose that the strongest logical point is that, for almost everyone
in Victoria, putting the needle exchange on Pandora will keep it out
of their neighbourhoods.

We are also told that the convenience of the unfortunate drug addict
must take priority over our insignificant concerns. Apparently the
addict who wishes to obtain clean needles or aid in recovery should
not be deterred by travelling a few blocks to access the appropriate
services. It is more logical to destroy the ambience of one small
neighbourhood instead.

Karen Johnson

Victoria