Pubdate: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Virginia Johnsen NEEDLE EXCHANGE NEEDS BETTER LOCATION In mid-October it was announced that the needle exchange had until the end of November to clean up its act, or face eviction from its landlord. I live approximately two blocks from the exchange and can tell you that the sight of needles, blood, and human waste is still a common occurrence. A day doesn't go by where we don't find needles in front of our building, or in our building, as users sometimes kick needles underneath our garage door after they have finished injecting. When I think of Victoria I can't help but think of the old ad campaign by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. That was the one with the egg ("This is your brain"); the egg is then dropped on a hot frying pan ("This is your brain on drugs"). Picture the Legislature and the Inner Harbour: "This is Victoria." Then picture Cormorant Street and the neighbouring blocks: "This is Victoria on Drugs." The needle exchange provides a useful service to its users and needs to remain open, just not in its current state at its current location. Virginia Johnsen, Victoria. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake