Pubdate: Sun, 14 Jan 2007
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Kathy Michaels

FUNDING PROVIDED FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

One-time funding of $25,000 has been provided to reduce the spread of 
blood-borne infections by raising awareness of safe needle 
distribution in the South Okanagan.

Interior Health Prevention Services has received funding from the 
B.C. Centre for Disease Control to take the first steps in 
establishing a needle partnership program for Penticton and Oliver.

"It is essential that individuals have easy access to clean needles 
to prevent the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV," said 
Colleen Maloney, a Penticton public health nurse.

"All communities have injection drug users, (and) our goal is to make 
sure all injection drug users have clean needles, and that they are 
safely disposed of."

This new funding will help to strengthen efforts to reduce the risk 
and impact of blood-borne pathogens on the communities and 
populations most at risk by enhancing a needle exchange program, and 
by building on community interest in needle safety in Oliver.

A safe-needle exchange program has been operating from the Health 
Unit in Penticton since October 1999 and it's the only exchange 
available in the South Okanagan.

"In 2006, 24,000 needles were supplied and we provided services to 61 
clients," said Maloney.

New funding will help address prevention of blood-borne pathogens 
consistent with the approach recommended in the plan, said Maloney, 
referring to Interior Health's action plan for blood-borne pathogens.

The plan takes a population health approach.

In Oliver, improperly discarded needles in public locations are a 
real safety concern, said Megan Klammer, an Oliver public health nurse.

"We need to look for community solutions to help raise awareness and 
reduce the chances of people coming in contact with needles."

Maloney and Klammer plan to form needle partnerships in their 
communities until March.

They will work with local government, schools, businesses and the 
general public to increase awareness and develop local solutions.

Anyone in the South Okanagan who has information about places where 
people are unsafely disposing of needles, or who has any insights on 
the proposed program, is being encouraged to call Maloney at 770-3428 
or Klammer at 498-5071.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine