USED NEEDLES A SAFETY HAZARD

As an emergency paramedic who has worked in the Downtown Eastside area, I
applaud Larry Campbell's plan to create safe injection sites.

One only has to take a short walk down the alleys to see the discarded
needles left after drug use.

These used needles pose a safety hazard to us all.

As paramedics, we often risk getting stuck by a discarded "dirty" needle
while responding to the medical needs of our patients.

Although this is a risk we are trained to be aware of, creating
safe-injection sites may reduce the risk of contracting Hepatitis or HIV
from a needle left on the street.

Safe-injection sites may not be the cure for drug addiction, but they may
be part of the solution.

Stuart Myers,

Port Coquitlam