TENANTS ON PINS AND NEEDLES

Under the weather -- Rebecca Henning quickly puts up signs for
Spillers Fruit Stand in Penticton as the rain pours down Wednesday morning.

Residents in the provincially subsidized Tower apartment on Winnipeg
Street are frightened for their safety.

For months they've been dealing with an onslaught of events that have
rattled the many seniors, and others with disabilities, who make the
building their home.

But on the morning of July 15, they reached their limits when one of
the building's residents was taking the elevator and a hypodermic
needle pierced through his sneaker and into his foot, explained Jodi
Miller, the representative of the newly formed Concerned Tenants Council.

Fearing that the needle could be infected with diseases the man, who
wishes to remain anonymous, immediately went to the hospital and
received immunization for Hepatitis B.

Although residents are of the belief the needle was HIV positive, Sam
Rainboth communications manager for B.C. Housing said he's learned
there wasn't sufficient material on the needle to make that assessment.

Additionally, Dr. Shawn Spelliscy, emergency physician at Kelowna
General Hospital, said the likelihood of contracting HIV from a
needle is very low.

Regardless of the outcome, the event has resonated with the older
residents who have repeatedly faced everything from loud music, to
smelling drugs in the hallway and encounters with people with a
frightening demeanor.

"This was supposed to have been a seniors' building, and now we have
all types in here," said tenant Regina Parker. "We have what looks
like prostitutes walking our halls and we have others who look they
are on major drugs."

What concerns both Parker and Miller is the senior residents feeling
of no safety.

"They're afraid of going into the hallways and the elevators," said
Parker. "The Wellness Centre is gone but their doors are open during
the day, and anyone can walk in and come in and out."

The best solution to the problem would be increasing security, said Miller.

The group has discussed getting cameras in the building, and would
like to see an increased presence from police officers and security staff.

"We have a key to get in and out of the building, but if (a stranger)
is behind you, a senior won't say 'you can't come in,'" she said
adding, it's imperative that illegal drug uses, of any kind, not find
its way into the lives of innocent people who are already dealing
with many health issues.

"We should be allowed to feel safe entering in and out of our
building and not have to constantly be looking over our shoulders to
make sure that no harm comes to any and all of our people."

Rainboth said security is sufficient at this point, and one of the
issues at this time is that both building managers are on holiday at
the same time, "This is unfortunate, but we'd like to make sure it
won't happen again," he said adding that safety of tenants is always
top priority.

As for the issue of the needle stick, Spelliscy said it's something
that people should be aware is happening throughout the Okanagan.

"They should know we have seen over the last few years a number of
people getting needles stick injuries," he said, adding people should
be careful on parks and beaches and always wear shoes.

He also said it's very important that they people get immunized
against hepatitis A and B, which is 100 per cent more likely to be
acquired by that kind of injury than HIV.