SETBACK FOR DRUG NEEDLE MACHINE

Serious concerns were raised yesterday over plans to introduce a
needle vending machine in a North Wales town.

During a presentation at a Conwy council meeting, councillors said
there were major worries about installing the machine behind Colwyn
Bay's Rhiw Road police station.

Although supporting needle exchange programmes in principle, they
insisted this was not the place for the machine. It will allow drug
addicts to get clean new needles in a pack, and dispose of dirty
needles in a steel bin.

Colwyn Bay is expected to be the first town in the UK to introduce
such a scheme, and one of only ahandful in Europe.

Addicts will be able to get the needle pack, which also contains
alcohol swabs and a condom, any time of the day or night after
receiving a token from rehabilitation agencies.

There would be no supervision, the joint community and wellbeing and
community safety scrutiny committees heard yesterday, but it would be
covered by CCTV.

Police hope the machine will help cut drug-related illnesses in the
area. But local councillors Chris Hughes and Abdul Khan said they had
been contacted by large numbers of residents unhappy with the siting
of the vending machine.

Cllr Bob Squire said: "This will never work in an area like Colwyn
Bay unless there is full consultation with the whole community."

Other concerns included local people being intimidated by drug users,
and youngsters being possible targets for drug grooming by dealers.

Cllr Keith Toysaid: "Isn't this a signal that we are condoning the
taking of drugs?"

But Sgt Dewi Roberts, North Wales Police's substance misuse officer,
insisted it was part of a four-pronged campaign against drugs -
enforcement, education, prevention and treatment.

"We are trying to engage with them so they can come away from drug
addiction," he said. He added police would be willing to consider other sites.

Carry Burton, North East Wales Health Trust needle exchange manager,
said the machine would help stop the spread of disease among the
needle using population.

"Needle exchange is not about drug treatment," she said. "It is about
protecting public health. It is to keep people healthy."

Councillors voted against the vending machine being sited at Colwyn
Police Station, but agreed to needle exchange schemes in principle.

It will be up to the planning committee to decide on the application.

The machine was paid for by the Welsh Assembly, and needles will be
paid for and replaced by the Welsh Ambulance Trust. Ambulance staff
will also be responsible for emptying the dirty needle bin.