NEEDLE EXCHANGE FACING EVICTION

The AIDS Vancouver Island needle exchange has been told by its
landlords to fix the street problems in front of its Cormorant Street
location or find a new home.

It could face eviction at the end of May if the problems aren't dealt
with by the end of February, but AVI, for its part, agrees it's time
for the exchange to move.

The non-profit has already been talking to the city and the Vancouver
Island Health Authority about alternatives, and hopes the way forward
will start to become apparent with today's release of the Mayor's Task
Force report on homelessness and addiction.

"We're in agreement with them, it just doesn't work there," said
Marilyn Callahan, AVI board chairwoman.

She said the landlords have been patient and understanding, but were
forced to take action after neighbours began seeking a court
injunction against the exchange this summer.

The needle exchange has been in its current home since 2001 and has
seen surging demand. It gave out 128,000 needles to 545 clients in its
former location in 1996. Last year, it provided 1,600 clients with
740,000 needles.

With those numbers, Callahan recognizes the centre no longer fits in a
neighbourhood that has become increasingly residential. It also
doesn't fit under the same roof as AVI's other programs.

"Our aim is to stop the spread of infection, so we're working with
young peoples' groups, with gay men, with vulnerable groups to these
infections. I.V. drug users are only one of these groups, they're a
big group, but they're only one," she said.

"It doesn't work to have them together, the needle exchange can kind
of overwhelm the rest of our services."

According to numbers from AVI, one in 10 drug users is HIV-positive,
and seven in 10 have hepatitis C.

AVI filed a request with VIHA in February to boost the exchange's
funding to pay for a new, larger site. Callahan said the specifics of
that request are evolving as they work with VIHA on an independent
review.

An outside expert is looking at what kind of fixed site could best
serve AVI's needs, whether secondary or mobile exchanges could help
and consulting with police and neighbours about problems, said Suzanne
Germain, VIHA spokeswoman.

That review will also await the results of the mayor's task force
before it comes up with specific suggestions.

Callahan hopes the report will focus on things that will help people
kick addiction, thus relieving pressure from the exchange.

"Needle exchange, really, is to stop the spread of disease, but where
possible to get people into addiction services," she said.

She hopes to see support for wet housing, shelters that are permissive
of alcohol and drug use under controlled conditions, and more detox
beds.

"I'm hopeful this will lead to a shake-up of the whole thing and a
re-examination of how we can best serve people and use our resources
appropriately and link them."