Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Paul Walton Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) CONTROVERSIAL CLINIC WILL STILL MOVE TO NEW LOCATION 'We Couldn't Stop It If We Wanted To,' Says Nanaimo's Mayor Despite lack of consultation by the Vancouver Island Health Authority, a controversial health clinic and needle exchange will move to a new location in the new year. After a long meeting on Monday between city officials, VIHA and the Nanaimo Area Resource Services for Families, which will run the clinic, a news release said everything but the clinic will move from Cavan Street despite opposition from surrounding businesses. Mayor John Ruttan said it means the city had no way to oppose VIHA's decision to open the clinic. "I know some residents will be very uncomfortable . . . we did all we could do to stress to VIHA and NARSF that we want their assurance they will do all they can do to mitigate disruption," said Ruttan. Eric McLean, president of the Old City Quarter association which has continued to oppose the clinic's location at 375 Franklyn St., said they will not change their position. "We're still going to oppose it, it's really an inconvenient time for everybody," he said. Ruttan said they were told by VIHA and NARSF that after a long search the Franklyn Street location was the only suitable location. The only option the city had was to refuse VIHA a business licence for non-compliance, and Ruttan said he was unsure if they could win such a case were it to go to court. "We couldn't stop it if we wanted to," said Ruttan. He said that VIHA and NARSF produced evidence that NARSF did extensive research, narrowing it down to the Franklyn Street location, and about the importance of the clinic. The new release states that the needle exchange is only about 10% of the activities at the clinic and that they are committed to working with residents and the city. Last week MLA Ron Cantelon contacted the Ministry of Health asking that they intervene to have VIHA "step back" to reconsider the location of the clinic. Cantelon is currently on holidays and declined comment. Ruttan said that VIHA agreed there was a lack of consultation and the former mayor, Gary Korpan, said that even if VIHA did try to reach him in November that was inadequate. There is no record at city hall of Dr. Richard Stanwick, VIHA's chief medical officer of health, calling Korpan and leaving a message about the clinic and Korpan has asked for another review of city hall records. He said that in 2007 VIHA agreed with the city to consult with council and community neighbourhoods prior to any harm reduction activities after a failed effort to hand out crack pipes. "I don't consider leaving a message or claiming to leave a message full consultation," said Korpan. He said the agreement is very clear about "full consultation." "I doesn't appear that this happened," said Korpan. McLean said the joint statement from the city and VIHA reveals the same thing. "This is an example of how VIHA consults with the neighbourhood -- it's pathetic," said McClean. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin