NEEDLE EXCHANGE CHANGES?

The future of Whalley's needle exchange will be the subject of debate
between the city and regional health authority over the next month as the
two parties explore alternate ways to deliver the service.

Mayor Doug McCallum met last Wednesday with Dr. Gulzar Cheema, the
provincial minister in charge of addictions services, and the Fraser Health
Authority (FHA) to discuss the future of the Surrey's needle exchange.

Last week, McCallum told a representative of the exchange he wanted the
facility shut down "immediately," drawing criticism from health authorities
and local MLAs.

The needle exchange, opened in Whalley in 1992, provides 15,000 syringes a
month to intravenous drug users, as part of a program to reduce diseases
such as hepatitis C and HIV. It's part of the province's "harm-reduction"
strategy, and the group that manages the Surrey needle exchange holds the
provincial contract for the service until September 2003.

McCallum described last week's meeting with Cheema as "very positive,"
adding the health authority agreed to explore alternative methods of needle
delivery.

However, Cheema told The Leader Friday that he's asked the health authority
and city to work out their differences, and said that no decision regarding
alternate forms of delivery has been made.

Cheema says the Whalley needle exchange is an excellent facility with a
proven track record.

"My belief is that the Whalley needle exchange is a model service, and they
have provided great service in the past and they should continue to provide
that service."

Cheema acknowledges that the province, health authority and city have
varying opinions about how the service should be delivered. McCallum is
expected to meet with the health authority next week to work out details of
the needle exchange service.

Cheema expects a progress report "soon."

"They have to resolve this -- there is no other choice...the sooner the
better."