Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jun 2009
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n595/a01.html
Author: Beverly Brookman

EXPERTS UNITED ON NEEDLE EXCHANGE

As a 64-year-old concerned, retired teacher-counsellor, I am proud to 
be part of Harm Reduction Victoria, a grassroots organization 
advocating for public health services for people who use illicit 
drugs. Most people have some family member or know someone struggling 
with addictions, and surely all citizens have a responsibility to 
insure that harm reduction is practised to the fullest possible 
extent in our community.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority's service plan describes its 
role as "ensuring comprehensive needle exchange services are 
provided" in Closing the Gap: Integrated HIV/AIDS and Hep C Strategic 
Directions for VIHA.

The Mayor's Task Force on Breaking the Cycle of Mental Illness, 
Addictions and Homelessness recommended "strengthening harm reduction 
services to help mitigate public health and public order issues; in 
particular investigating the use of substitution therapies and indoor 
supervised consumption sites."

Researchers, including B,C,'s provincial health officer, called on 
relevant authorities to implement a supervised consumption site (SCS) 
in Victoria, noting that, "The SCS concept already has the support of 
Victoria city council and the Victoria Police chief." Spring 2008

Every person has a right to consistent, non-judgmental, accessible 
health care, and harm reduction is an essential part of that provision.

One year is too long to wait.

Beverly Brookman

Saanich
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom