NEEDLE EXCHANGES SAVE LIVES

Re: City 'abetting' drug users, Cullen fears, Oct. 8.

I fully support of Ottawa's needle-exchange program and the new
harm-reduction products.

I am a former IV drug user and sex-trade worker. My life of destruction at
the time was very dangerous. I was so high risk that I was tested for HIV
about 30 to 35 times in a 10-year period. I used to get high with all kinds
of drug-users. Some were HIV positive and some were Hep C positive.

During the progression of drug use, a person at times does not care about
how the drugs are injected (clean or dirty needles) so various diseases are
transmitted.

My life was spared. I believe the needle-exchange program offered by the
van and the Health Sexuality Centre at 179 Clarence St. played a key part
in keeping me healthy and free from HIV.

Harm reduction makes sense in an addict's world. The van and 179 Clarence
offer other support to addicts such as referrals to detox centres,
substance-abuse programs, anonymous testing and other links to community
services.

Injecting drugs is dangerous and scary -- yet it is here to stay. So let's
be smart and think sensibly. A harm-reduction program such as the needle
exchange can save addicts from dying, it can prevent the spread of disease
and, in some cases, it can buy addicts time in which to turn their lives
around.

M.L. Conboy,

Ottawa