NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAM CONSIDERED THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS

When people walk into HIV North looking for a clean needle, they
could be experiencing a whole gamut of emotions, from being
embarrassed, ashamed or in a hurry to go shoot up, says HIV North
Society's outreach co-ordinator.

"Or they'll come in and say 'Oh I've been slipping' or 'I've been
bad'," Melody Parker said.

"I just say 'You know what, it's a good thing that you're coming in
here and getting clean needles. I try to make it seem positive (so
they don't) feel so down on themselves. I let them know right away
I'm not judging them. That's not what I'm here to do. That's not what
I'm about."

The goal of HIV North's needle exchange program, launched in 2002, is
to get injection drug users to always use a clean needle to stop the
spread of HIV.

Parker said it relaxes people when they don't feel judged.

"And then they feel valued, and then they don't feel so poorly about
themselves and their addictions. Because that's not how they should feel."

Sometimes people ask for help with their addictions, she said.

The program allows needle-injection users to get a bag of 20 clean
needles at HIV North, or participating pharmacies, for free.

Then they are also encouraged to drop off any used needles at HIV
North or at one of eight drop-off boxes in the city.

To help track the program, but keep it confidential, HIV North and
pharmacists ask for the person's age and initials.

Parker says without the program, there would probably be a higher
rate of HIV in the city.

From April to September of this year, 203 clients accessed the
program, 96 of whom went to a pharmacy.

The number of needles distributed in that time was 10,687, with 2,400
given out by pharmacies.

Each bag of 20 needles comes with alcohol swabs and a card with
locations on where to get more needles, Parker said.

She said they have a good relationship with the participating pharmacies.

Free needles are available at Save-On, Superstore, London Drugs,
Safeway, Wal-Mart and Zellers. Some stores are busier than others, she said.

Also in that time, 3,562 used syringes were returned to HIV North.

The drop-off boxes see an average of 50 to 60 a month, Parker said.

There are eight locations in the city: At the back of what used to be
Germain Park, Muskoseepi Park, in the parking lot next to the
Shoppers Drug Mart in the Prairie Mall, behind the Salvation Army,
across the street from the Co-op and behind the Northwest Company on
100 Avenue.

Parker said the needles are taken to Peace Country Health to be disposed of.

The people who walk through the door are from all walks of life, she
said. The average age is 30.

Max Murray, pharmacist at Safeway's north-end location, said the
program is a good idea.

"It brings them into the pharmacy and, if they want to discuss their
problems, the opportunity is there," he said.

"I think it just creates a comfort ... and maybe somebody will come
in and ask us for help, and that would be great. I would love to be
able to help someone."

Murray said he's surprised by how many people aren't aware of the
program and try to purchase needles. "They seem quite happy to get it
(for free)."

In the last two months, Safeway has had 12 to 15 clients per month he said.

The needles are put into a bag behind the counter and it's kept confidential.

"It's a step in the right direction," he said.

The Shoppers Drug Mart stores at the Prairie Mall and Patterson
Village don't participate in the program.

Joanne Reaume, a pharmacist at the Patterson Village Shoppers Drug
Mart, said the stores have some safety concerns, especially because
they are open late.

"Just concerns about increasing foot traffic for some individuals
that may be high-risk individuals," she said. "Whether it's justified
or not, it makes us feel a little bit less safe at night.

"I think it's a good project, but there's just some concerns for me
with giving people needles all the time."

Another issue is diabetics have to pay for their needles, she said.

"But, from a safety perspective, I think the program is very important."

The Grande Prairie RCMP also supports the program.

"We support any organization that makes Grande Prairie a safer
community for everyone," said spokesman Jim Hendry.

"We do not condone drug use, but to deny that there are drug addicts
in Grande Prairie is not being very realistic."