DO WE NEED 'SAFE' SITES FOR CRYSTAL METH USERS?

Safe injection sites could become part of Fraser Health's anti-meth
strategy, according to the health authority's top drug expert.

"It's something I'm thinking about. The more crystal meth becomes a
problem, the more we need safe places people can inject," said Dr.
Akbar Bayanzadeh, Fraser Health's addictions leader.

Crystal meth is a highly addictive street drug that can be made at
home using items like cough syrup and kitty litter. It can be
injected, inhaled, smoked or taken orally.

Bayanzadeh said that while the health authority has no immediate
plans to open safe injection sites, he believes they would play an
important role in reducing the risk of disease transmission for
those who inject crystal meth.

He knows what he's talking about.

Bayanzadeh holds a PhD in psychiatric rehabilitation and helped
introduce methadone clinics and a needle exchange program into Iran's
prison system.

"It was very positive to see those programs adopted in a society that
is normally very restricted and not open to that kind of approach,"
said Bayanzadeh.

Born in Tehran and educated in Britain, Bayanzadeh has worked for the
World Health Organization, several United Nations agencies and the
Headquarters for Drug Control under Iran's Presidential Office.

Before becoming Fraser Health's addictions leader in October 2005,
Bayanzadeh was a visiting professor at Simon Fraser University's
psychology department.

As Fraser Health's addictions leader, he oversees the health
authority's addictions services and develops strategies for
preventing drug use.

While harm reduction is a priority for Bayanzadeh, he still believes
prevention is the best medicine.

"We need to be pro-active. It's not always the prevalence of use
that's we need to worry about, it's the possibility that use could
become even more widespread. And that's something we can stop with
early action."

That's why Bayanzadeh is excited that Fraser Health is recruiting
youth outreach workers to educate Surrey kids about the dangers of
meth use. That project begins in April.

Bayanzadeh also said he hopes to see long-term addiction facilities
operating in the Fraser Health region in the next several years.

Fraser Health serves 1.5 million people living in 20 municipalities,
including Surrey, White Rock and Delta.