Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2016
Source: Cowichan Valley Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Cowichan Valley Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/cowichanvalleycitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4349
Webpage: http://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/370725021.html

SPIKE IN DISCARDED NEEDLES RAISES QUESTIONS

It's concerning on a number of levels that the volume of used needles
being found around town has seen a big spike in the last six months.

About two dozen a month isn't a reason to panic, certainly, but it's
enough to make us want to know why there's so many turning up in our
public places all of a sudden.

Make no mistake, it is highly unlikely that these needles are from
random diabetics needing to give themselves insulin.

These needles are from people who are injecting illegal, hard drugs
into their veins.

They're being used to dose addicts with cocaine, heroin and crystal
meth.

The sudden increase in needles begs the question: is this the visible
detritus left behind by an increase in these drugs in the community?

There have always been some, but are they on the rise?

Are there new users moving to town? Are more locals taking up the
habit?

Presumably longtime users in the community know about and use the
needle drop-off stations around town.

It seems unlikely a passel of them just decided to start discarding
their needles around town instead.

The RCMP are no doubt looking into these questions.

But in the meantime, it behoves business owners and the public to be
careful.

If you get stuck with one of these needles you may be exposed to some
serious illnesses, from which IV drug users suffer at a greater rate
than the general population, because of an often high-risk lifestyle.

It's prudent to look around you before you sit down in Centennial or
Charles Hoey parks, either on the grass or on benches or playground
equipment.

Business owners should take extra care before digging into their
outdoor planters.

The publicity now being given to the matter may help to clear things
up in fairly short order.

Most drug users have no interest in actively endangering others, and
will use the drop boxes to discard their paraphernalia as long as they
know about them. The ultimate goal, of course, is to get as many
people as possible off drugs.

In the meantime, it's about harm reduction for everyone.
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MAP posted-by: Matt