Pubdate: Fri, 21 May 2010 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Christina Toth Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) CRIES FOR CLEAN NEEDLES Abby Has B.C.'S Third Highest Hep C Rate, Mayor Peary 'Wants to Be Open-Minded' Carrying mock coffins and hoisting signs that read 'Harm Reduction Saves Lives,' more than 80 activists from Vancouver and Abbotsford rallied at the civic square on Tuesday to draw attention to the city's high Hepatitis C infection rate, and what they called its 'harm production' bylaw. According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Abbotsford has the third highest rate of Hep C infections in B.C., where the numbers are already double the national rate. But the city's 2003 bylaw, which effectively bans stationary or mobile needle exchange and other harm reduction strategies, stands in the way of prevention and care, said the protesters. "This is a caring community - what's going on here? We need to make them see the error of their ways," said Deb Schmitz with the Hepatitis C Council of B.C. "I saw this 15 years ago in the Downtown Eastside, the need for education and awareness," said Richard Cunningham, with the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users. A former licensed practical nurse and a recovering addict with Hep C, Cunningham said everyone has to be on board to address drug addiction and its related health issues. "It takes the whole community, from the user, everybody. We need good rapport with city hall, the police, the health authorities, the people. [As an addict], you can still care of yourself, but when you have roadblocks, it makes it a lot harder," he said. With 70 to 80 per cent of intravenous drug users infected with Hep C, providing services such as clean needles can go a long way to help prevent the spread of blood-borne infections such as Hep C and HIV, said Dr. John Farley, an infectious diseases specialist who treats local patients. "I think it's a very regressive step," he said about the city bylaw. "People need options. Harm reduction has helped people. It's really unbelievable that methods that would prevent Hep C are shunned by a community." But change may be coming. A proposal to review the city's position on harm reduction should come before Abbotsford city council on June 7. The request comes from the city's social development advisory committee, said Mayor George Peary. As a city councillor in 2003, Peary supported the bylaw, but admits his perspective may be "less entrenched" than it was. "I want to try to be open-minded on this," Peary said this week. "I would hope council would at least look at the bylaw in the current situation," which includes factors such as the high rate of Hepatitis C in the city. A review could lead to the creation of a harm reduction policy, and that would shape the actions of the city, the mayor said. Currently the city defines 'harm reduction' in the bylaw, and restricts related services from most of the city. "Our response has been a very simple one. What we have now is really prohibitive." He noted also that Fraser Health "is not very pleased with us," and that the bylaw likely prevented some funding and health services for drug treatment from being offered here. An updated policy on harm reduction may change that, he suggested. Any changes to the bylaw must go to a public hearing, Peary said. Note: While Fraser Health authorized the B.C. Centre for Disease Control to distribute clean needles within the health authority, it was on the condition that agents would respect local city bylaws. Fraser Health does not condone breaking local regulations. That was unclear in the Times May 18 story. Also, although promotion for Tuesday's march suggested coffin bearers would be drug users, at least one, Jason Handysides, said that was simply not true - specifically in his case. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom