NEEDLE EXCHANGE WELCOME FACILITY

Why, in a society where everyone knows someone who is addicted to
something, are we still debating the efficacy and necessity of harm
reduction? What if your mother was addicted to crack (or gambling)?
And don't say it couldn't happen; I know many mothers who have
addiction issues. Would you not want her to be able to access clean
syringes, counselling or food?

What if your daughter developed a meth habit? Would you wish HIV/AIDS
upon her? And if your brother had a heroin addiction, would you deny
him housing and support?

The people you see hunting along the pavement for crack or asking you
for change are just that, people. They deserve the same respect
available to any other person in our society. They deserve chances to
take care of themselves, to access housing, to have somebody listen.

They might need to take care of themselves in some different ways
than people who don't use drugs. They need clean syringes. They need
access to information on safer drug use until such time as they no
longer want or need to use. And they need to have a safe space to go.

The needle exchange provides these services and is welcome in my
backyard, any day.

Christie Wall

Victoria