A NEEDLE NECESSITY

Each dawn shines a light on the evidence of Regina's dark side strewn
around its alleys, streets and parks . . . discarded liquor, wine and
beer bottles and needles.

Lots of needles.

In 2006 alone, 17,800 loose needles were collected around the city by
the Regina fire department, community workers and city staff -- an
average of almost 49 needles a day.

Because they can harbour deadly transmittable infections like HIV/AIDS
and Hepatitis B and C plus sexually transmitted infections -- for up
to seven days -- needles discarded by addicts and drug-addicted
prostitutes are a real hazard for anyone who accidentally comes into
contact with them.

It's something residents of affluent neighbourhoods don't often see or
think about. But for thousands of people living in the inner city and
poorer areas, the needle problem is a very real health issue. Young
children are particularly vulnerable because of their natural
curiosity and tendency to pick up something that looks "interesting"
to play with.

The needles left lying around Regina barely give an indication of the
extent of intravenous drug use in the city. An official needle
exchange program, funded by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region,
collects an additional 1.9 million used needles a year from drug users
and hands out clean ones through street support workers, Carmichael
Outreach and Aids Programs South Saskatchewan.

It would be ideal if people didn't shoot heroin and other junk into
their bodies, but it's a way of life for some people living in
dysfunctional families, struggling with poverty and memories of
physical and sexual abuse.

For example, almost all the 300 or so adult, mostly female aboriginal
prostitutes in Regina are intravenous drug users from broken homes.

Moralizing and tut-tutting about the extent of the drug issue does
nothing to help address the practical problem of collecting dirty needles.

That's why we welcome a new initiative by the health region -- needle
disposal boxes.

In just five weeks the first three yellow boxes -- two in North
Central alleys and one downtown in the alley between the Plains Hotel
and the YWCA -- have collected more than 600 needles. Some might be
from diabetics, others might be from businesses that use needles. But,
undoubtedly, some have been dropped off by addicts.

It's a promising start to a program that already runs in Saskatoon,
Prince Albert, Calgary and Edmonton -- and well worth the $1,000 to
$1,500 each box costs.