Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 Author: Mike Chouinard Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) NEEDLE EXCHANGE SCARES CUSTOMERS Freeman Dryden set up shop in Chilliwack two years ago this month. The co-owner of Bev's Best Bakery and Cafe credits the mayor and the city for not throwing up many bureaucratic obstacles in his path. Things are getting tougher these days, though. He says his big obstacle is the presence of a nearby needle exchange. Last month, Fraser Valley Connections Services set up a site not far from Dryden's business on Main Street for a harm reduction program, which offers needle exchanges as part of its mandate. He and some other business owners were not happy that they had been told nothing about the move. Dryden realizes the people in the program need help but he questions why things have to be conducted in a business store front instead of at a health unit or the hospital. "They're sick people and they need medical treatment," he said. Another business owner Ron Niessen has been making copies of a letter they are asking people to sign to protest the program's move into the neigbourhood and send it to the mayor, both local MLAs and Fraser Health Authority CEO Keith Anderson. "We can't get a straight answer out of anybody," he said. "Seventy-five per cent to 80 per cent of my business is elderly, walk-in customers. They're not coming down here anymore." Both business owners are worried about the presence of more people addicted to drugs in the area. This, they say, will mean more shooting up, associated crime and a need for more security-things that frighten the many seniors who live in the area from patronizing local businesses. "This is their neighbourhood. Now they're scared to death to walk down the street," Dryden said, adding he's spent $500 in additional security. Already, he said he has had to force customers to use a key for his washrooms in order to keep addicts from shooting up there. The business operator who used to work out of the space that now houses the harm reduction program said he even suffered a break at his new location, not long after the program moved into his old location. Garth Campbell wonders if through some mix-up someone mistook his new operation for the home of the harm reduction program, though he hesitates about drawing too many conclusions. "I'm not too sure if it was connected to the needle exchange or not," he said. "I'm not too sure one way or the other." Campbell, though, agrees with Dryden that a health unit or hospital might be the best place for people addicted to drugs. Sam Mohan, the program coordinator for Fraser Valley Connections Services, said when they establish a new home for the harm reduction program they do not tend to advertise the fact. The reason for not being more conspicuous though has nothing to do with being clandestine but rather provide a place environment for the clients where they do not draw attention. "We've just got to get them in the door," she said. "It's really, really important that they feel safe." The program had most recently been located on Alexander Avenue and was the subject of a contentious meeting at city hall earlier this year. A Fraser Health Authority spokesperson told the Times this was a temporary one, and Mohan is hoping she does not have to move from the current site again. She admits she is surprised at the recent reactions from some to a program that has been operating for a dozen years. Mohan said there are regular meetings for the program's advisory committee every couple of months for representatives from different backgrounds in the community. As well, many people do not realize harm reduction offers broad services such as counselling and that the exchange only makes up about 10 per cent of the program. At the meeting earlier this year concerning the Alexander location, an RCMP representative questioned the fears about associated crime, saying the program did not have a history of causing trouble in its old neighbourhood. As far as the current location goes, Mohan said it was felt it was a good fit as there is already a methadone clinic for clients in the general vicinity. She realizes some people in the neighbourhood have concerns about their businesses but wishes people would find out more about the program before acting out of fear. Some, she said, who signed the petition have told her they already regret doing it. "All the seniors are coming around," Mohan said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth