NEEDLE EXCHANGE RATE DOWN WITH MOBILE UNITS

Since Victoria's main fixed-site needle exchange shut down there has
been a drop in exchanges, but that was expected, Vancouver Island
Health Authority CEO Howard Waldner says.

"Obviously we are in the middle of a change so no the numbers are not
yet at (the previous) level but we are moving in the right direction," he said.

At the end of May, the AIDS Vancouver Island-run Cormorant Street
needle exchange location was closed after being served with an
eviction notice spurred by a flurry of neighbourhood complaints about
disorder and waste. In June, the organization, which is funded by
VIHA, started needle exchanges from mobile units.

The project is still in its early days but has seen an increase in
users since it got rolling, Waldner said.

"We aren't publicizing the absolute numbers because we want to give
(the program) time to settle in," Waldner said. "But we are encouraged."

Victoria currently has two fixed-site needle exchanges - one at a
public health clinic at 1947 Cook St. and the other run by the Cool
Aid Society - but unlike the AVI location did, they don't solely
focus on needle exchange and harm reduction.

The mobile exchange unit is complemented by a mix of other services,
Waldner said.

AVI is trying a range of different strategies, including placing
extra staff in more locations, to try at boost needle exchange
numbers, AVI executive director Katrina Jensen said.

Other than stating numbers are down, she would not comment on the
current level of exchange.

Fixed and mobile needle exchanges cater to different groups, said
Bernie Pauly, assistant professor an the University of Victoria's
school of nursing. Both working in unison have been proven as an
effect method of harm reduction, she said.

"Harm reduction services like needle exchanges provide a point of
access into health services," Pauly said.