NEEDLE EXCHANGE SAVES LIVES

Re: "AIDS organization's facilities seem fine," April 29.

The letter raised questions about why AIDS Vancouver Island's needle
exchange, which operated successfully until 2001 in Commercial Alley,
is now struggling at its location on Cormorant Street.

Times have changed, and in some respects not for the better. By the
time we moved from Commercial Alley, the area had become the heart of
the city's restaurant and shopping district. At that time we
exchanged about 400,000 syringes a year, less than half the volume we
exchange today. (We remain proud of the 95-per-cent return rate.)

Since then there has been an unprecedented increase in
street-associated substance use, homelessness and associated mental
health and public safety issues.

Yet our budget has remained the same. What's more, the Vancouver
Island Health Authority recently announced the removal of $450,000 --
37.5 per cent of our modest budget -- beginning next April.

We also have to move the needle exchange again. Our area has changed
to a high-density residential neighbourhood and the facilities are
far too small to cope with the numbers of people using them.

We cannot give up.

One of the most significant ways to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS is
through a needle exchange.

One virus transmission prevented saves the health-care system more
than $180,000, and much more if users can find help to deal with
their addictions. An effective needle exchange can help people to
take the next step.

Many of our clients have left the deadly cycle of drug use, property
crime and homelessness that ensnare them and we know that many more can do so.

VIHA has always applauded the quality of our service and we have
experienced overwhelming support from the City of Victoria, Victoria
police, the United Way, the Downtown Service Providers and many other
community groups and citizens.

We have been offered help from the community to find a new rental
location and funds for its renovation.

Rather than take aim at AVI for the street problems, it would be
better to turn attention to the policy makers who are stripping
public-health dollars from our community.

Marilyn Callahan,

chairwoman,

AIDS Vancouver Island.