INTERIOR HEALTH TAKES AIM AT SAFE NEEDLE DISTRIBUTION

One-time funding of $25,000 has been provided to reduce the spread of
blood-borne infections by raising awareness of safe needle
distribution in the South Okanagan.

Interior Health Prevention Services has received funding from the B.C.
Centre for Disease Control to take the first steps in establishing a
needle partnership program for Penticton and Oliver.

"It is essential that individuals have easy access to clean needles to
prevent the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV," said Colleen
Maloney, a Penticton public health nurse. "All communities have
injection drug users, our goal is to make sure all injection drug
users have clean needles, and that they are safely disposed of."

This new funding will help to strengthen efforts to reduce the risk
and impact of blood-borne pathogens on the communities and populations
most at risk by enhancing a needle exchange program, and by building
on community interest in needle safety in Oliver.

A safe needle exchange program has been operating from the Health Unit
in Penticton since October 1999, and it's the only exchange available
in the South Okanagan.

"In 2006, 24,000 needles were supplied and we provided services to 61
clients," said Maloney.

New funding will help address prevention of blood-borne pathogens
consistent with the approach recommended in the plan, said Maloney,
referring to Interior Health's action plan for blood-borne pathogens.
The plan takes a population health approach.

In Oliver, improperly discarded needles in public locations are a real
safety concern, said Megan Klammer, an Oliver public health nurse.

"We need to look for community solutions to help raise awareness and
reduce the chances of people coming in contact with needles."

Maloney and Klammer plan to form needle partnerships in their
communities until March. They will work with local government,
schools, businesses and the general public to increase awareness and
develop local solutions.

If anyone has information on places where people are unsafely
disposing of needles, or has insights on the issue, they are welcome
to call Maloney.