DEMAND FOR NEEDLES JUMPS

Early last week, Portland Community Health Centre staff were guessing a big
drop of heroin had landed.

From Monday to Wednesday, the centre's needle exchange service handed out
225 needles.

June had been quiet, with fewer than 700 syringes distributed - so the
three-day jump was a sign that heroin was in town.

Before the drop in June, demand was at an all-time high.

In March, 1207 syringes went out in 98 exchanges or contacts with clients.
In April, there were 82 exchanges for 1199 syringes. In May, there were 62
exchanges for 1078 syringes.

Figures from the Portland and District Hospital, which runs a needle
exchange service after hours and at weekends, are even more alarming.

From January to June, the numbers rose steadily each month. The hospital
gave away four to five times more syringes compared with the same period
last year.

February was the first time the hospital had distributed more than 100
packs of six syringes. In June, during the community health centre's slump,
the hospital gave away nearly 200.

"The needle exchange rate is tied with usage, we're sure of that," said
hospital drug and alcohol unit head Bev McIlroy.

"Compared with the last three years, the numbers of syringes going out now
has gone through the roof - and we haven't seen a slump in demand."

Local health-care workers take heart that more demand at least suggests a
drop in health risks - but hospital sources say up to nine out of 10
Portland users have hepatitis C, which can lead to liver cancer. It is a
disaster.

Community health centre CEO Peter Hill said: "An infected person might keep
sharing needles because he doesn't think he has anything to lose.

"But there's more than one strain of hep C. The strain he picks up from his
friend might be the strain that takes him out."