SAFE INJECTION: A DEAD ADDICT CAN NOT RECOVER

The Editor,

Tom Fletcher (Summer in the drug-infested city not so pretty ,
Tri-City News, July 4, 2007) could not be more mistaken in his views
regarding safe injection sites (SIS) and needle exchange programs
(NEP). In his words, these sites "promote continued abuse.

However, this is exactly opposite to what the professional,
peer-reviewed, academic research community has found.

Safe injection sites are designed to reduce the public health and
safety problems associated with drug injection; namely, drug
overdoses, public injection, and the spread of diseases such as HIV,
HCV, and HBV. A SIS offers non-judgemental services to the drug-using
community.

Instead of looking at drug users as pariahs and misfits, or as is
more common among those who support the moral/criminal/disease models
of addiction in which the drug user is demonized and viewed as evil,
an SIS treats drug users with respect, dignity, compassion, and
understanding. This, in turn, has made it more likely for members of
the drug using community to access the services provided by an SIS.
As an example, inSite, North America's first safe injection site,
offers drug users the opportunity to speak to public health nurses,
mental health practitioners, nutritionists, and social service workers.

In addition, inSite serves as a referral agency to other programs
such as methadone maintenance, withdrawal management, and addiction
counselling.

With injection drug use, the sharing of needles is a major health
risk for HIV, HCV, and HBV. Health Canada (2001) reported that
intravenous drug use is now the main route for HIV transmission; more
specifically, almost half (45.8%) of all new HIV infections occur
among intravenous drug users.

Further, Health Canada (2001) reported that 70% of new HCV infections
in Canada each year are related to the sharing of needles, syringes,
swabs, filters, spoons, tourniquets, and water associated with
injection drug use. The improper disposal of used injection related
equipment further exacerbates the health consequences of injection drug use.

Fortunately, the various Needle Exchange Programs within British
Columbia alleviates, minimizes, and reduces these problems in that
(i) drug users are able to receive clean, sterile equipment which
minimizes the risk of disease transmission, (ii) are taught proper
injection techniques in order to minimize the harm associated with
injecting improperly, (iii) are able to receive information about
where to access help from in terms of addiction counselling; and (iv)
are able to return their used injection equipment instead of
improperly disposing this material.

Safe injection sites and needle exchange programs do not promote
continued abuse -- they promote survival. And survival is the key of
all addiction services as a dead addict simply cannot recover.

Gerry Gramozis

Coquitlam