WESTPORT OKS NEEDLE SWAPS

WESTPORT-- A needle-exchange program for intravenous drug users will open
on Route 6 within the next month. The program, the first in Bristol County
and one of only four in Massachusetts, was approved unanimously by the
Board of Selectmen Monday night.

The facility will be located at 909 State Road, Route 6, on the site of the
former Friends Music store, and will be operated Fall River's Stanley
Street Treatment and Resources center. SSTAR is a health care and substance
abuse facility. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will also
offer support.

There are needle-exchange programs in Boston, Cambridge, Northampton and
Provincetown. Both New Bedford and Fall River have rejected the idea.

SSTAR CEO Nancy Paull sought the selectmen's approval, explaining that
intravenous drug use is a major cause of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis-C. She
further explained that these diseases are often transmitted by drug abusers
sharing needles or using dirty needles.

Addicts who visit the center will be able to exchange dirty needles for
clean ones, and will receive education and direction on how to get
treatment for their addictions. The facility will also offer HIV testing.

Paull said Westport is not immune to the ravages of intravenous drug use.

"I have been at SSTAR for 30 years, and we are seeing two admissions a week
from Westport," she said.

There are approximately 30 residences behind the location, and Selectman
Steven Ouellette said there will be meetings held with neighbors to let
them know what will be going on at the site. The vote was not taken as a
public hearing, so abutters of the facility were not notified.

Former Selectman Dr. Stewart Kirkaldy spoke in favor of the facility,
saying that the exchange of needles is a way to lure addicts in for treatment.

"I feel very strongly that just the opportunity to engage the addict and
offer him treatment at an early stage is very important," Kirkaldy said.

When asked if people from neighboring communities would use the program,
Robert Hitt of SSTAR said they would, at least in part because the location
is on a bus line.

"I expect people from Fall River and New Bedford will use it," Hitt said,
adding that he didn't think the facility would see more than 15 people in
any two-hour period.

Paull said Westport Police Chief Keith A. Pelletier has told her he favors
the program.

"Certainly, drugs are prevalent in Westport," said Selectman David Dionne,
who made the motion to approve the project for one year.

"We legally sell pornography on Route 6," Dionne said. "We sell alcohol,
tobacco and firearms on Route 6."