USED NEEDLES DEPOSITED AT ABBOTSFORD CITY HALL

A group of about 10 marched into city hall and into the bylaw
enforcement office this afternoon, depositing on the counter three
Ziploc bags and nine buckets filled with used hypodermic needles.

They had been collected around Abbotsford, which does not have a
drop-off site for used needles. The group included Barry Shantz and
Dave Murray from the B.C./Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors.

"We're wondering what we can do with these," Murray said to bylaw
staff. "We figured we would take them here for you guys to deal with."

"Don't you think it's irresponsible not to have some type of
procedure in place?" Shantz asked.

A couple of minutes later, Murray asked whether anyone had any clean
needles on hand. A woman from the group handed him a sealed package.

"I just saw an exchange!" Shantz said.

The group departed shortly afterwards, leaving city hall staff and
two Abbotsford police officers - who had accompanied them to ensure
there was no trouble - to figure out what to do with the needles.

The display followed a rally outside city hall to protest an
Abbotsford zoning bylaw that prohibits "harm reduction" facilities
such as safe injection sites and needle exchanges.

The event was held in recognition of World Hepatitis Day tomorrow,
and many of the 70 or so in attendance suffer from hepatitis C or HIV
which was spread through sharing needles.

The group, led by four people hoisting a "coffin" to represent hep C
deaths, walked through the streets surrounding city hall, including a
short stop in front of the police station.

They carried signs sporting messages such as "Hep C is preventable!"
and "Take the politics out of public health!"

They were also vocal, shouting out "Harm reduction saves lives!" and
"Needle exchanges now!"

Among the speakers was Dr. John Farley, an infectious disease
specialist who has offices in Abbotsford and Vancouver. He said
Abbotsford has "one of the highest" rates of hepatitis C in the
province, and there are too many restrictions placed on who is
eligible for treatment through Pharmacare.

"Harm reduction does save lives," Farley said.

Rally participant Don Tourangeau is a user of heroin, cocaine, and
morphine. He occasionally visits the Insite safe injection facility
in Vancouver and said it's a place where he can feel safe, not be
bothered by police, and receive clean needles.

"You don't have to go find a needle on the street that's dirty."

Paul, who didn't want his last named used, is in remission from hep
C. He said giving out clean needles, which prevents the spread of
disease, is cheaper than paying for medical treatment.

This was the only rally held in the Lower Mainland at this time, but
organizers are planning to visit other communities this summer to
promote harm reduction.

Participating groups were the B.C./Yukon Association of Drug War
Survivors, the Hepatitis C Council of B.C. and the Vancouver Area
Network of Drug Users.