Pubdate: Sat, 28 Dec 2013
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, The Belleville Intelligencer
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/letters
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: W. Brice McVicar

PRICKED FINGER: Now on a 'cocktail' of drugs

DOWNTOWN NEEDLE NIGHTMARE

BELLEVILLE - A notorious downtown boarding house is being called a
"biohazard" by a man who reports he pricked himself with an infected
used needle while staying there.

Marc Alarie is currently on a mix of medications after he
inadvertently stabbed a finger on his left hand with a used needle he
said was left lying in a common area at the Belle Pub, formerly the
City Hotel. The 40-year-old, who recently moved to Belleville from
Timmins, rented a room above the Front Street watering hole before
leaving shortly before Christmas.

Alarie explained he was in one of the common areas in the upstairs
area and reached around a microwave before feeling something pierce
his finger. When he looked down, he said, he realized he had pricked
himself on a needle.

"I went to reach around the microwave and whammo," he said. "I'm
taking pills now. I've got to take an AIDS cocktail."

He explained after pricking his finger, he reported the incident to
Belleville police and immediately went to Belleville General Hospital.
In addition, a report was made to the Hastings and Prince Edward
Counties Health Unit.

That call, said a program manager with the unit, prompted a visit to
the downtown pub.

"We did have an inspector go down and respond to that complaint," said
Stephanie McFaul. "They spoke to the person in charge of maintenance
and they did express that, at times, that there were used needles
found in that area."

McFaul said the inspector took that opportunity to review proper
protocols in cleaning the area to ensure no one else was pricked. In
addition, she said, concerns were expressed about the needle user not
being responsible for themselves or for others.

"You can't always control these situations, but what we can do is
provide people with information and educate them so they have the
tools and resources available to them," she said. "We also made sure
the owner is aware of our needle exchange program so they can inform
anyone potentially using these needles where they can get sharps
containers and what they should be doing with them once they've used
the needles."

Sylvia Paz, owner of the Belle Pub, said an inspector from the health
unit did visit her business and provided her with a sharps container,
but said the whole matter stems from landlord tenant issues.

Regardless, she said, the issue used of needles have been
addressed.

Paz said there is one known drug user who sometimes wanders into the
upstairs living area and uses needles there, but she has, in the past,
tried to prevent the drug user from accessing her property.

In terms of cleanliness, Paz said, the living quarters are cleaned
regularly.

"I have my guys go up there twice a week to clean and now we have the
(sharps) box for needles from the health department," she said. "We do
our best to try and kick the druggies out, but if the police and the
city won't get her off Front Street what am I supposed to do?"

Paz said she does not believe Alarie pricked himself, noting the claim
was linked to ongoing issues, including a dispute over unpaid rent.

Alarie denies that allegation

"The place should be shut down. It's a biohazard," he said. "It's the
nest of drugs. It's the belly of it."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D