TIME TO TACKLE DRUG ISSUES

While it's not a given that people who become homeless and/or hang out
downtown for most the better part of their day will become addicted to
injection drugs, odds are not in their favour.

And it's a fact that property crime is connected to intravenous drug
users. It's clear, then, the city and the Vancouver Island Health
Authority need to come to grips with the fact that having no fixed
needle exchange, from both a harm reduction and a crime prevention
standpoint, is a symptom of a sick community.

Tomorrow (Sept. 18) Harm Reduction Victoria will host a public forum
called FIX Victoria and try yet again to get a handle on how to put a
dent in this ongoing crisis.

It's rather like a merry go round. A panel of experts, joined by
someone helped by the system, sit in a panel and talk about the
issues. Members of the public, some of whom have suffered at the hands
of addicts, listen and occasionally toss out in frustration phrases
like "something's gotta be done about this."

Pressured by the politicians, the police get involved and for a while
the problems subside. Then as the police change priorities, the
problems resurface.

The closure of the needle exchange is a symptom of a greater problem
of general dis-ease in the downtown core, one that won't improve
unless tough decisions are made. Like dedicating space to such a
service, in conjunction with other recovery services for people
battling substance abuse and homelessness.

VIHA says it's committed to finding a solution in the aftermath of the
closure of AIDS Vancouver Island's Cormorant Street needle exchange.
It also admits that it has not taken action on finding a fixed site,
and as we all know, actions speak louder than words.

It's time for the health authority and the city to tackle the problem
head-on and not skirt around the issue due to unfounded fears. Things
will only get worse until they do.