HARM REDUCTION PLANS' DILEMMA

Calgary's needle-disposal program proves harm-reduction measures,
while controversial, can be done safely and in a way that stops the
spread of infectious diseases by substance abuse.

The Calgary program, marking its 10th anniversary, has caught the
attention of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta. The group thinks Calgary's program is so strong, it has
recommended U.S. cities adopt it as a model for establishing their own
safe needle initiatives.

Too bad Ottawa hasn't appeared to notice. The federal Tories are
expected to move away from harm-reduction strategies, such as needle
exchange programs and safe injection sites, when they release their
anti-drug strategy next week.

Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that seeks to lessen the
dangers to society of drug abuse and drug policies. The Harper
government's desire to take a tougher stand on substance abuse is
commendable. But a sensible strategy must recognize -- or at least
consider -- the basic tenet of harm reduction: That there's never been
and never will be a drug-free society.

Judging from the March budget, a hint of what the anti-drug strategy
might look like, the feds haven't gotten the message. Although an
additional $64 million over two years was announced for enforcement,
treatment and prevention, there was no mention of funding for
initiatives like Calgary's needle drop boxes. Those boxes help safely
collect and dispose of intravenous needles to limit the spread of
infectious diseases.

"It's that type of program we're afraid will be threatened," says Leon
Mar, spokesman for the Canadian HIV-AIDS Legal Network. "They haven't
explicitly said they are getting rid of harm reduction, but the budget
numbers speak for themselves."

Since its launch 10 years ago, about 120,000 needles have been dropped
into yellow boxes spread throughout the inner city. They are collected
by the Calgary fire department.

The needle box program was developed with help from the health
region's Safeworks Calgary, which operates a needle exchange service
where addicts may trade dirty needles for sterile ones. The needle
disposal and exchange programs, both considered harm-reduction
measures, complement each other.

Ottawa appears to be more worried about the supervised injection site
in Vancouver, expressing concern that government involvement might
constitute the facilitating of drug abuse. But in its haste to move
away from what it perceives as legitimizing sites where known drug use
is permitted, the federal government mustn't lose sight of numerous
community programs that help keep the public safe.

The needle disposal box was introduced as a direct result of community
concerns over a proliferation of discarded needles on playgrounds,
school yards, public parks, gutters and downtown streets. Today, an
average of 20,000 dirty needles a year are being safely diverted to
the city's biohazard disposal boxes.

Along with enforcement, treatment and prevention, the federal
government must recognize harm reduction as a necessary pillar in
fighting the war on drugs. Such programs ultimately help addicts, and
keep the public safer.