Pubdate: Sat, 08 Apr 2006
Source: Now, The (Surrey, CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Now Newspaper
Contact: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/forms/lettersform.html
Website: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Author: Brooke Larsen, Now Contributor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

DO WE NEED 'SAFE' SITES FOR CRYSTAL METH USERS?

Safe injection sites could become part of Fraser Health's anti-meth  
strategy, according to the health authority's top drug expert.

"It's something I'm thinking about. The more crystal meth becomes a  
problem, the more we need safe places people can inject," said Dr.  
Akbar Bayanzadeh, Fraser Health's addictions leader.

Crystal meth is a highly addictive street drug that can be made at  
home using items like cough syrup and kitty litter. It can be  
injected, inhaled, smoked or taken orally.

Bayanzadeh said that while the health authority has no immediate  
plans to open safe injection sites, he  believes they would play an  
important role in reducing  the risk of disease transmission for  
those who inject crystal meth.

He knows what he's talking about.

Bayanzadeh holds a PhD in psychiatric rehabilitation and helped  
introduce methadone clinics and a needle exchange program into Iran's  
prison system.

"It was very positive to see those programs adopted in a society that  
is normally very restricted and not open to that kind of approach,"  
said Bayanzadeh.

Born in Tehran and educated in Britain, Bayanzadeh has worked for the  
World Health Organization, several United Nations agencies and the  
Headquarters for Drug Control under Iran's Presidential Office.

Before becoming Fraser Health's addictions leader in October 2005,  
Bayanzadeh was a visiting professor at Simon Fraser University's  
psychology department.

As Fraser Health's addictions leader, he oversees the health  
authority's addictions services and develops strategies for  
preventing drug use.

While harm reduction is a priority for Bayanzadeh, he still believes  
prevention is the best medicine.

"We need to be pro-active. It's not always the prevalence of use  
that's we need to worry about, it's the possibility that use could  
become even more widespread. And that's something we can stop with  
early action."

That's why Bayanzadeh is excited that Fraser Health is recruiting  
youth outreach workers to educate Surrey kids about the dangers of  
meth use. That project begins in April.

Bayanzadeh also said he hopes to see long-term addiction facilities  
operating in the Fraser Health region in the next several years.

Fraser Health serves 1.5 million people living in 20 municipalities,  
including Surrey, White Rock and Delta.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl