NEEDLE CLINIC ON THE MOVE

On Friday Fraser Valley Connections ceased offering addiction services
at its controversial location on Spadina Avenue.

But its closure wasn't due to pubic complaints of late, instead the
services have being shifted to Pacific Community Resources Society.

The work, contracted to PCRS by the Fraser Health Authority, will be
an expansion on what Fraser Valley Connections already offered, and
will include: addictions counselling, education, peer support,
referral to recovery and a needle exchange.

Those will be in addition to an addictions outpatient clinic,
school-based prevention and youth outreach programs already provided
by PCRS in Chilliwack.

According to David Plug, spokesperson for the Fraser Health Authority,
PCRS is currently searching for an appropriate location in the community.

Mayor Clint Hames says the service is welcome to set up anywhere there
is commercial zoning.

"It's probably not moving along fast enough for anybody at this point
and time. It's something that takes a lot of care and I'm happy that
the addiction services will be placed together with this (needle
exchange) program. I think it will give them the critical mass to have
a better, more efficient location. But where it is-they are welcome to
go in any commercial area because we don't have restrictions about
those kinds of things."

Fraser Valley Connections offered a needle exchange program, which was
the source of much controversy at its more recent location, but the
bulk of their work, said Hames, was counselling and referral to other
agencies.

Grant Roberge, Fraser Health administrator of health services for
Chilliwack, said the time was right to move the services to an agency
that could provide a greater range.

"Given the valley's growing population and growing needs, the time was
right for a change from a small organization to a larger agency with
more resources," he said in a prepared release.

"Integrating communitiy-based addictions services will ensure close
connections between the range of addictions services such as referrals
for treatment."

The Fraser Health Authority contracts out addictions services
annually. PCRS, a non-profit accredited agency, has provided community
services in the Lower Mainland since 1984.