PHARMACY'S NEEDLE SWAPS OK: TOP MD

Handing out needles from a Pandora Avenue pharmacy, even in the
so-called "no-go zone," falls well within provincial government policy,
B.C.'s chief medical officer said yesterday.

Dr. Perry Kendall said the province, working through the B.C. Centre for
Disease Control, provides needles and supports their distribution to
drug users to reduce the spread of diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV.

"We do provide harm-reduction supplies. And we do encourage the
establishment of needle exchanges and other services where they are
needed. And we do encourage pharmacists to be part of the solution,"
said Kendall.

"Is there a problem here [on Pandora Avenue] with public order or public
danger -- I don't know," he said. "I think it might be a really good
idea for someone to sit down with the police and the local residents and
say, 'What are your real concerns here?'"

At a meeting this week of the Victoria Police Board, a report on street
disorder pointed to the Pandora Pharmacy, at 922 Pandora Ave., as a
source of free needles for drug users.

Police said in the report they have been dealing with an increase in
complaints of people shooting up on the street and littering the streets
with their used needles since the pharmacy started distributing needles.

Staff at the pharmacy, which also operates as a methadone clinic,
refused to comment yesterday.

Officials with the Vancouver Island Health Authority said the pharmacy
is acting on its own. But VIHA has been aware it has been passing out
needles for about six months.

Passing out needles in that particular block violates a code of conduct
that has established what has become popularly known as a "no-go zone"
in the area.

Driven by concerns of local residents, businesses and nearby agencies
such as St. Andrew's Elementary School, the exclusion zone was
established several years ago with the help of the ad hoc Needle
Exchange Advisory Committee.

The 900 block of Pandora Avenue has also seen more than its fair share
of public disorder, with street people pitching tents and camping on the
boulevard. The city passed a no-camping bylaw last month.

Rev. Al Tysick, executive director of Our Place, a soup kitchen and
drop-in centre at 919 Pandora Ave., said he thought people have a right
to be upset that the Pandora Pharmacy is handing out needles.

"Not to be mentioning it and then for us to find out later, it just
brings non-trust in the community," said Tysick.

"We are all working towards having a safe, clean neighbourhood. It's
just coming clean with what you are doing," he said.

Barry Hobbis, candidate for city council with campaign headquarters in
the block, said he is astounded by the extent of blatant drug use on
Pandora.

"It just seems as if it is acceptable," said Hobbis, a former police
officer. "From the drug users' point of view, they don't seem to fear."