REACHING OUT TO AID CHATHAM-KENT

Education on blood borne diseases such as HIV and Hepititis 'C' isn't
all the AIDS Support Chatham-Kent outreach program offers.

It also gives back a little dignity.

"We have the opportunity to address other needs and these are the
needs that aren't being met," said Karyn O'Neil, director of community
and resource development at AIDS Support C-K.

"Whether it's more education or whether it's shampoo, it empowers them
to take care of themselves."

O'Neil hopes it also helps them to ask if for information on local
addiction centres.

O'Neil and needle exchange coordinator Thom Maxwell have combined
forces to inform local sex trade workers and intravenous drug users
throughout Chatham-Kent about HIV, Hep 'C' and other blood borne
diseases while giving them a bridge to other services available to
them.

"A lot of time, people who are using needles, they're invisible," said
O'Neil after her presentation to the Kiwanis Chatham-Kent Golden 'K'
Thursday.

"We have the opportunity to address other needs that weren't being met
until we went out into outreach and discovered that people aren't
accessing services," said O'Neil.

She realized some of the women she met were not connecting with the
other community services AIDS Support C-K partners with that could
help, so they designated Thursdays as women's day drop in. In an
effort to help bridge the gap they offer a warm meal, a speaker twice
a month, informal life counselling and a clothing closet.

Needle exchange has also offered her some unique moments that keep her
going.

O'Neil relates a story of a young man who came in two weeks ago for
the needle exchange. She learned he'd never used a needle and after an
hour of educational counselling the man left with an appreciative
handshake, but no needles.

"I was in the right place at the right time, and so was he," said
O'Neil. "I don't think it's a moment that's going to happen very often
for me, but it gave me every reason to be there."

The needle exchange is a confidential program allowing users to get a
clean needle for a dirty one.

O'Neil said by being responsible for supplying products to keep users
safe they also require the user to be responsible to themselves and
the community they live in by ensuring needles are disposed safely.

Education in the community about what to do when they find a needle is
also key. She said the public should call police or call them to have
it disposed of safely. But, she added, the outreach is not there to
police drug users.

"Confidentiality is huge, we need for our clients to trust us. We're
definitely not seen as the police; we're seen as help," said O'Neil.
"If we can go out and reach these people then we can also provide them
with the support they need, the education and the tools to keep
themselves safer."