Pubdate: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2009 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Angela Hall Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) NEEDLE DISPOSAL CONCERNS MINISTER Needle exchange programs in Saskatchewan help reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases, but there's room for improvement in areas such as needle disposal, says Health Minister Don McMorris. McMorris, speaking after Tuesday's release of a 100-page review of the programs, said even the return rate of 90 per cent on needles distributed by the needle exchanges could be bettered. "If we're handing out needles, we'd like a higher return rate, and there are things that we can do in that area," McMorris said, pointing to the possibility of more disposal sites. The report also notes that all discarded needles are not necessarily from the exchange programs offered in seven health regions, as needles can be readily purchased. The government said it ordered the review last summer following concerns from the public about the effectiveness of needle exchanges and complaints about needles littering the ground during spring thaw. As far as reducing major health concerns such as HIV, the review confirmed the programs are "going in the right direction," McMorris said. The report estimates needle exchange programs reduce the transmission of HIV by one-third, for an estimated annual savings in health-care costs in Saskatchewan of $4 million. McMorris said a committee has been struck to look at "next steps" for the needle exchanges, such as improving public education and furthering plans for needle clean-up and disposal. The committee will also look at the possibility of differentiating needle-exchange needles from other needles, and at the use of registries to better track the distribution of needles. Dr. Moira McKinnon, chief medical health officer, said registries are already in use in some locations, allowing workers to access important information such as an individual's immunization history or whether that person wants access to counselling. For most injection drug users, the needle exchange is likely their "only entry into health services," McKinnon said. "It's also often the first step for them for rehab. Even though the needle exchange program doesn't provide rehabilitation, it does provide counselling, harm reduction, that enables them to consider that next step." Of the nearly 3.9 million needles distributed in the last fiscal year, about 3.5 million were returned for exchanges. Many needles that aren't returned go to rural communities, the report said. The Regina-Qu'Appelle health region distributed two million, with about 1.9 million returned for a return rate of 94 per cent. About 11,800 needles were recovered in Regina last year by various means, including through a public health initiative, an annual spring clean-up, AIDS Programs South Sask, Wascana Centre Authority, the city, the fire department, and private individuals, according to the report. Saskatoon distributed half as many needles as Regina, but it is estimated that the number of needles provided there covers only about 60 per cent of injections. Saskatchewan, which has an estimated 5,000 injection drug users, distributes more needles compared to other provinces because the prevalent injection drugs are powdered cocaine and morphine, which require frequent injections, the report said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin