NEEDLE EXCHANGE WON'T BE 'ONE-FOR-ONE'

Ottawa's Top Health Official Convinces O'brien To Make New Program
Less Restrictive

Ottawa's new drug-needle policy won't be the one-for-one exchange
some had hoped for, but Mayor Larry O'Brien and Ottawa Police Chief
Vern White heralded it as a co-operative step in the right direction.

At a news conference yesterday, the mayor, who had previously called
a one-for-one needle exchange an "ideal" solution to the problem of
loose needles downtown, said Ottawa's interim medical officer of
health has convinced him otherwise.

Dr. Isra Levy, who has succeeded Dr. David Salisbury at the top of
the public-health department, said extensive research shows HIV rates
decline in cities that have policies like Ottawa's and increase in
cities that have restrictive, one-for-one programs. Dr. Levy said a
one-for-one needle exchange also translates into more people carrying
needles with them, creating a health risk for police, paramedics and
others who might have to deal with drug users.

"We have been persuaded that the one-for-one exchange will not bring
the benefits we imagined it would. The returns are not there, based
on scientific research," Mr. O'Brien said.

Dr. Levy does recommend a number of changes to the current needle
pick-up program, including longer service hours, a new hotline for
residents to report loose needles, more technology and more staff.
The enhancements would cost an additional $100,000 each year.

"We're really hoping to get ahead of this program and improve the
thing," he said.

"There will be a real advantage to mapping where the needles are and
following the changing patterns ... (to) modify and adapt cleanup
routes. We'll get better at the problem instead of always
responding," Dr. Levy said

When asked if there was much difference from the current program, Mr.
O'Brien said it was "a long way from the status quo."

But perhaps the most notable development was the warm relationship
between the medical officer of health and the others. Nearly everyone
at the meeting -- Chief White, councillors Bob Monette, Eli
El-Chantiry, Diane Deans and Shad Qadri -- praised Dr. Levy's
agreeable approach and commitment to re-examine the program if it
doesn't reduce the number of needles in alleys and under porches downtown.

Dr. Salisbury had a combative relationship with city council,
especially after councillors voted to kill a program to distribute
clean crack pipes to addicts in an attempt to reduce the spread of
hepatitis (the program was later reinstated by the province). Mr.
Monette, Mr. El-Chantiry and Mr. Qadri have pushed for a review of
the needle program, concerned about the number of loose needles.

Dr. Salisbury had called a one-for-one needle exchange program
impractical, but was unable to reach any firm agreement with council.
Before he quit the city administration to take a job with the federal
government, he said he regretted spending so much of his time
clearing up rumours and speculation from non-experts.

Chief White praised Dr. Levy's openness.

"I'm enthused that's he looking at alternatives to find solutions,"
Chief White said. "If what he tries doesn't work, we'll try something
different."

Mr. El-Chantiry was less enthusiastic about the changes, but also
praised the co-operation: "Am I 100-per-cent satisfied? Maybe not,"
he said. "But we have to go forward by working together."

He told Dr. Levy that if the new plan turned out to be a step in the
wrong direction, "things will have to change."

Chris Grinham, a Lowertown resident who has often complained about
loose needles in his neighbourhood, said he was "open-minded" about
the new recommendations, but that the burden of proof was now on the
city to show that the new program would run safely.

"By no means will we back up one iota," he said. "I'm going to be on
the streets watching closely, and documenting every needle to Dr. Levy."

NEEDLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Dr. Isra Levy's plan is to be discussed by city council's community
services committee June 19, and includes the following recommendations:

- - Hiring a student public-health inspector in the summer, and a full
time public health trainee in the fall, who will be responsible for
needle pick-up and mapping to identify "hot spots" and trends.

- - A hotline for needle pick-up.

- - New Vanier routes to be added to the standard needle-patrol program.

- - More needle drop boxes.

- - Better partnerships with police and business and community associations.