NEEDLE EXCHANGE ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICE

Here we are with a crisis on our hands. The continuation of needle
support services at AIDS Vancouver Island is in jeopardy because of
the lack of consultation with the public by the key authorities, city
hall and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong is that we are
compounding the pain of the people who are already suffering.

It is a guarantee that people are going to get sick as a result of the
closure of the needle exchange and the resulting lack of availability
of harm reduction and support services. Lives will be ruined because
people will be deprived of access to an essential health care service.

Victoria needs a fixed site now. It will be much easier for existing
and future clients to access these critical services without the
stigmatization that a mobile service may bring.

The solution is clearly for VIHA to engage in a renewed consultation
process with the public to allay fears and dispel ignorance. Everyone
deserves appropriate and accessible health services, especially the
vulnerable members of our community.

Charles Crossland

Victoria