HARM REDUCTION IS AVAILABLE

Regarding page 5, Nov. 9 paper: FHA urged to push needle exchanges
into hostile cities. It suggests addicts cannot access methadone in
Chilliwack or Abbotsford. In fact, there are very nice clinics set up
in both communities that offer addiction specialists doctors many of
whom are also psychiatrists. These two clinics also have onsite
counsellors to assist with assessment and provide ongoing
counselling.

There is a fee for the clinic, however, social assistance pays this
medical cost for those on welfare and also those with disabled status
are covered.

The site in Abbotsford is where the old Busby clinic used to be, on
Busby off McCallum, and it is called Abbotsford Health Center. It is a
respectful and comfortable site where doctors prescribe suboxone
generally for people who have become addicted to oxycontin/oxycondone
medications and methadone usually for other opiate users. It is
clearly a harm reduction program, although Fraser Health did not
create it, all the doctors are paid for through the medical system.

Pauline Kesteven