NEEDLE EXCHANGE NEEDED NOW

It is interesting that the Vancouver Island Health Authority has
elected to impose a needle exchange on a neighbourhood in Nanaimo,
while here in Victoria it has failed to allow even for the delivery of
services via bicycle.

In Nanaimo, in the face of opposition, VIHA claimed that a needle
exchange was an essential health service, whereas in Victoria
opposition has derailed the provision of an essential health service
to one of the most vulnerable communities in the city.

Evidence provided by academic researchers, VIHA and the mayor's task
force have shown that harm reduction is necessary and that Victoria
needs more of it to ensure the rights of all of its citizens. Not only
has VIHA closed down the needle exchange, but it has limited access of
workers to clients in the downtown core.

It has been more than six months after the closure of the needle
exchange, and there still has been no new service opened in its place.
It is time to stand up for people's rights and help them gain access
to an essential health service.

Kenzie Louch

Victoria