NEEDLE EXCHANGE, INJECTION SITE NEEDED

Under the 2007 Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness, Addictions and
Mental Health report, providing services to clean up our city is a
priority.

It is interesting to note that three of the Traveller's Inn locations
have been bid on by the city.

This would provide a wonderful opportunity to create a wet shelter,
needle exchange, clinic and possibly a safe-injection site for
Victoria's addicted and homeless street population.

Since the opening of the Insite supervised safe-injection clinic in
Vancouver's Downtown Eastside there has been a noticeable improvement
in the amount of drug paraphernalia lying around on the streets.

Dozens of lives have been saved and many people suffering with
addiction have been helped by the clinic's staff nurses and other
professionals. The evidence shows such clinics keep neighbourhoods
clean and assist our most vulnerable citizens.

I think it's time Victoria looked for similar solutions, perhaps at
one of the Traveller's Inn locations.

Bonnie J.E. Tateham

addictions registered nurse

Victoria