WEST END HIV/AIDS CENTRE FACES CLOSURE

Facility Provides Clean Needles

While advocates lobby the federal government to keep the Downtown
Eastside safe injection site open, a similar facility across town is
also facing closure.

Since 1997, the Dr. Peter Centre has been providing services for
people living with HIV/AIDS. As part of its extensive approach to
treatment, the West End facility provides clean equipment to
HIV-positive heroin addicts.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is negotiating with federal
officials for an extension to the exemption to the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act to allow the program to continue.

B.C. Persons With AIDS Society Chair Paul Lewand said the program is
vitally important to decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS among
intravenous drug users.

"It's an important part of their health care," he said. "It would be
criminal to take that away."

Meanwhile, more political heavyweights are backing the push to save
Vancouver's safe injection site.

Liberal Leadership candidate Gerard Kennedy tours the facility
tomorrow with Senator Larry Campbell. Campbell also joins fellow
former mayors Mike Harcourt and Philip Owen today in signing a letter
asking the Conservatives to renew the operating exemption.