NEEDLE EXCHANGE VEHICLE STOLEN

Thieves late Friday or early Saturday stole a well-worn Chevrolet van that
is notable only because of its cargo: About 15,000 clean hypodermic needles
awaiting disbursal to the community's intravenous drug users.

The van belonged to HIV Alliance. It was used for its thrice-weekly needle
exchange program, in which volunteers hit the streets and exchange clean
needles for dirty ones.

The 1990 Chevrolet G-30 van was stolen between 9:30 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m.
Saturday from the HIV Alliance parking lot at 1966 Garden Ave. The white
van has an extended roof and a retractable awning off the side door.

An old White Bird Clinic decal still was visible on the side.

"It's pretty well worn, but it's our link to our street services and being
able to provide needle exchange out on the street," said Sharon
Chamberlain, HIV Alliance's assistant executive director.

"Now, we're in a situation where we're unsure how we're going to be able to
continue that street-based outreach, which is how we reach the majority of
our clients," she said.

HIV Alliance exchanges about 52,000 needles each month in an effort to
prevent the spread of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis C.

The van is insured, and Chamberlain said she's waiting to hear from the
agency's insurer to see exactly what coverage is provided. She estimated
its value at $4,000 to $5,000.

In the short term, until the van is recovered or replaced, Chamberlain said
she plans to run the needle exchange out of her personal vehicle.

Inside the van was a week's worth of supplies, including up to 15,000 clean
needles, one night's worth of dirty needles in containers, empty needle
containers and first aid supplies.

Losing the supplies hurts because the cash-strapped agency now has only
about seven weeks worth of supplies left, she said.

On the bright side, an intern had disposed of a week's worth of dirty
needles earlier Friday.

Chamberlain said she doesn't think a client of HIV Alliance stole the van.
Clients are respectful of the needle-exchange program, she said.

"I do not think anyone would steal it for the needles," she said.