NEEDLE EXCHANGE ON THE MOVE

Chilliwack's needle exchange is going mobile.

Last Friday the Fraser Health Authority announced the contract to offer
community-based addiction services was switching hands from Fraser Valley
Connections to Pacific Community Resources Society and that means not only a
change in service providers but also a change in service-for now at least.

"It's our target to continue providing services under PCRS that Fraser
Valley Connections was handling," Tom Hetherington, addictions program
manager for PCRS, said.

According to Hetherington, counselling and referrals will continue through
PCRS's existing CAPS-Chilliwack Addiction and Prevention Services-program in
the community.

What will change, however, is the needle exchange program which caused much
controversy at its most recent Spadina Avenue location.

Instead of setting up a site-specific exchange program Hetherington says the
organization's needle exchange will go mobile and visit selected sites at
designated times.

Whether a storefront needle exchange will be established depends on
discussions with the community and a review of literature on best practices
for preventing HIV/AIDS.

Those could begin as early as September and if deemed suitable a permanent
location could be found for December.

"A contact centre won't be dumped on a neighbourhood. It will be done as a
result of the community-consultation process with the agreement of as many
people as possible."

Hetherington says needle exchange is primarily helpful in preventing
blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.

He's optimistic that there will be few gaps in service throughout the
transition.