News Release: Mobile Needle Exchange Collection and Distribution Data

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2008

MOBILE NEEDLE EXCHANGE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION DATA

VICTORIA – The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) today released data from the first three months of the enhanced mobile needle exchange service that started in June in Victoria when the lease for the previous fixed site on Cormorant Street ended. This service was developed together with the establishment of the Needle Exchange Advisory Committee that includes representation from agencies, neighbourhood associations and local businesses.

“Needle exchange is only one component of a harm reduction program to help protect against the spread of communicable diseases,” said Allison Cutler, Executive Director for Population and Family Health for VIHA. “VIHA will continue to evaluate this enhanced mobile service with AVI and closely monitor the outcomes throughout this trial period. Concurrently, we will be working with the City of Victoria and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to develop a service model based on a fixed site or sites.”

Cutler noted that needle exchange services are provided by a number of local service providers throughout the community to ensure clients continue to receive clean needles and outreach services. These providers include AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI), Victoria AIDS Resource & Community Service Society (VARCS), and Society of Living Injection Drug Users (SOLID). Statistics for the Victoria area include needles distributed and collected by these service providers, other providers, and the City of Victoria’s drop boxes.

Data for May 2008 was not included below because a higher than usual volume of needles was handed out to clients prior to the fixed site closure.

Needles distributed and recovered by all service providers (includes AVI, VARCS, SOLID, City of Victoria drop boxes and other service providers):

2008 Monthly Average (Jan-April)
Distributed 45,400
Recovered 36,900

June 2008
Distributed 24,700
Recovered 13,400

July 2008
Distributed 33,400
Recovered 24,000

August 2008
Distributed 36,500
Recovered 19,700

Needles distributed and recovered by AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI):

2008 Monthly Average (Jan-April)
Distributed 34,900
24,400

June 2008
Distributed 16,700
Recovered 7,500

July 2008
Distributed 25,000
Recovered 19,000

August 2008
Distributed 27,000
Recovered 10,700

“Although the mobile service is meeting some of the needs of clients for needle distribution, we believe that a permanent space for needle exchange complemented with a mobile service is the best way to deliver this form of health care to help stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis C," said Katrina Jensen, Executive Director for AVI. "We continue to engage with the community’s stakeholders, and we are hopeful that this process will help to gain the support for this valuable service.”

Although there are no current plans for a fixed site, VIHA would welcome a proposal for a new location in the downtown area that has the full support of the community while addressing public order issues. Throughout this trial period, VIHA continues to engage with many community stakeholders including the City of Victoria, the police, local businesses and service providers through the Needle Exchange Advisory Committee. As part of that process, VIHA will monitor any changes in needle distribution and collection and modify the mobile exchange service and implement other strategies as developed with the Committee.

– 30 –
Contacts:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
Tel: (250) 370-8270

Andrea Langlois
Communications Coordinator
AIDS Vancouver Island
Tel: (250) 384-2366 ext 112

News Release available in pdf here.