INVESTIGATORS SAY ARSON CAUSED FIRE AT NEEDLE-EXCHANGE CLINIC

OAKLAND -- Suspicious became malicious Tuesday when Oakland fire
investigators determined arson caused a three-alarm, New Year's Eve blaze
that displaced a controversial needle-exchange operation in Fruitvale.

Casa Segura, on the 3200 block of San Leandro Street, exchanges
approximately 17,000 needles in its six clinic hours each week, putting
clean needles in the hands of drug users.

The organization has been prosecuted three times for possession and
distribution of drug paraphernalia, said executive director Chris
Catchpool. It has also been the subject of heated City Council debate.

"There's a misunderstanding about our mission. There's a perception that
we're aiding and abetting drug users. We are an HIV prevention and we are
successful," said Catchpool.

The blaze originated in the second-story kitchen of the two-story building
and spread to cause $250,000 in damage. Oakland Fire Department arson
inspectors cite the possibility of accelerants, or incendiary chemicals, as
evidence of foul play, said Captain Vicky Evans-Robinson.

"For an action of this magnitude to take place is shocking. We did not
expect this. It feels like what has happened to abortion clinics -- fire
bombing to shut them down. If it is arson, then this is an act of political
terrorism, I feel," said Catchpool.

The crime has been referred to Oakland police for investigation, fire
officials said.

The building's ground level primarily sustained heat and water damage, but
destruction of the upper-level office space was more comprehensive.

"The entire top floor was burned out. We've lost client files, referral
lists, computers, phones, fax machines. ... A lot of the nuts and bolts
that it takes to run an organization were lost. We took a very heavy hit,"
Catchpool said.

"This is not something that we just stood around and gawked at. It was a
very emotional thing to see this happen to our labor of love," he added.
Casa Segura's operators do not yet know whether they will need to relocate.
They are waiting to see what can be salvaged from the fire.

Despite losses, Casa Segura will continue to provide its needle-exchange
services, as well as wound and abscess care, HIV and Hepatitis C testing,
and street outreach to high-risk drug users without interruption, Catchpool
said.

Tuesday night, power generators and lamps in a parking lot allowed Casa
Segura's needle exchange to take place.

"We have been burned out and are homeless, but will not shut down," said
Catchpool.