STRATHCONA MERCHANTS WORRIED ABOUT NEEDLE POLICY

Strathcona merchants are asking for a say in how needles are distributed in
the area, saying more syringes are being handed out than collected.

Cathy Kwan, coordinator of Strathcona Area Merchant's Society, said her
group has never been consulted about the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
needle distribution and exchange program, which directly affects those who
live and work in the area.

Merchants are especially concerned because they've heard rumours the health
authority plans to distribute more needles in the Downtown Eastside.

"Our concern is that the needle exchange isn't necessarily an exchange and
there's a lot of distribution of needles. We want to know what the
protocols are for exchange. If exchange agencies are really doing
[exchanges], then why are there needles and needle paraphernalia on the
streets? It's a daily thing for merchants to have to clean up needles."

The society recently sent a letter to Health Services Minister Colin Hansen
requesting a meeting with the health authority to ensure all needles are
collected.

In a June 6 response, provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall pointed
to guidelines for needle exchange on the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's
web site, which say programs should aim for a 100 per cent needle recovery
rate, although loaning without exchange is permitted.

The letter says the number of needles distributed and exchanged by the
health authority dropped from 3.4 million in 2000 to 2.7 million last year.
Kendall believes that's because of the number of people in methadone
treatment or who smoke crack instead of shooting up cocaine.

Kendall told the group he is encouraging greater access to needle
exchanges, but was unsure whether the health authority plans to increase
the needles distributed.

"I have asked programmers to address community concerns as part of the
community process," Kendall wrote.

Judy McGuire, spokeswoman for the Downtown Eastside Youth Activities
Society (DEYAS), which distributes most of the needles in the city, said
the health authority plans to increase the number of access points for
obtaining and exchanging needles. The number of needles exchanged will be
based on demand.

McGuire said all distribution agencies collect and distribute needles, as
well as provide containers throughout the city where needles can be deposited.

DEYAS also provides a needle pickup service in alleys and streets. If you
see a needle on the ground, call 604-657-6561.