FIXED NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS LONG OVERDUE

Re: "Researcher says health standards not followed," April 7.

Victoria's only fixed-site needle exchange was severely
under-resourced. When coupled with a housing crisis, this led to an
unworkable situation for all. Yet replacing the fixed-site with a
sorely inadequate mobile service is not workable either.

Needle exchange services have been restricted from a two-block radius
around St. Andrew's School, creating a nucleus for an inevitable
public health disaster. This area is populated by many of Victoria's
most marginalized people who use drugs. Restricting service delivery
in this area is a shocking dare to bring about hepatitis C and HIV epidemics.

This service delivery restriction must be lifted immediately.
Establish adequately resourced needle and syringe distribution
services immediately to prevent disease transmission. Get the needles
off our streets: Open supervised injection services now.

Will the VIHA board wait for a lawsuit before they take action to
provide the health services our community has the right to?

Heather Hobbs

Victoria