NEEDLE DISPOSAL CONCERNS MINISTER

Needle exchange programs in Saskatchewan help reduce the spread of
blood-borne diseases, but there's room for improvement in areas such
as needle disposal, says Health Minister Don McMorris.

McMorris, speaking after Tuesday's release of a 100-page review of the
programs, said even the return rate of 90 per cent on needles
distributed by the needle exchanges could be bettered.

"If we're handing out needles, we'd like a higher return rate, and
there are things that we can do in that area," McMorris said, pointing
to the possibility of more disposal sites.

The report also notes that all discarded needles are not necessarily
from the exchange programs offered in seven health regions, as needles
can be readily purchased.

The government said it ordered the review last summer following
concerns from the public about the effectiveness of needle exchanges
and complaints about needles littering the ground during spring thaw.

As far as reducing major health concerns such as HIV, the review
confirmed the programs are "going in the right direction," McMorris
said.

The report estimates needle exchange programs reduce the transmission
of HIV by one-third, for an estimated annual savings in health-care
costs in Saskatchewan of $4 million.

McMorris said a committee has been struck to look at "next steps" for
the needle exchanges, such as improving public education and
furthering plans for needle clean-up and disposal.

The committee will also look at the possibility of differentiating
needle-exchange needles from other needles, and at the use of
registries to better track the distribution of needles.

Dr. Moira McKinnon, chief medical health officer, said registries are
already in use in some locations, allowing workers to access important
information such as an individual's immunization history or whether
that person wants access to counselling. For most injection drug
users, the needle exchange is likely their "only entry into health
services," McKinnon said.

"It's also often the first step for them for rehab. Even though the
needle exchange program doesn't provide rehabilitation, it does
provide counselling, harm reduction, that enables them to consider
that next step."

Of the nearly 3.9 million needles distributed in the last fiscal year,
about 3.5 million were returned for exchanges. Many needles that
aren't returned go to rural communities, the report said.

The Regina-Qu'Appelle health region distributed two million, with
about 1.9 million returned for a return rate of 94 per cent.

About 11,800 needles were recovered in Regina last year by various
means, including through a public health initiative, an annual spring
clean-up, AIDS Programs South Sask, Wascana Centre Authority, the
city, the fire department, and private individuals, according to the
report.

Saskatoon distributed half as many needles as Regina, but it is
estimated that the number of needles provided there covers only about
60 per cent of injections.

Saskatchewan, which has an estimated 5,000 injection drug users,
distributes more needles compared to other provinces because the
prevalent injection drugs are powdered cocaine and morphine, which
require frequent injections, the report said.