By Rita Trichur
HIV infection rates for injection drug users has hit epidemic levels in Ottawa-Carleton, and Centretown is one of the communities hardest hit says the region’s medical officer.
According to a recent report by Dr. Robert Cushman, HIV and AIDS are spreading among intravenous drug users at an alarming rate.
Last year, the region accounted for almost one-third of new HIV cases in Ontario.
“I think it’s an epidemic when you’re seeing that 19 per cent of the people using the services are HIV positive,” says Danielle Dorschner, program co-ordinator for the HIV prevention program.
Regional Council is asking the province for an additional $80,000 to expand its needle exchange program. The program currently costs the province $156,000 a year. Council is also trying to create dirty-needle return programs at local drugstores.
Cushman says sharing dirty needles is the main cause of the increase, but adds a shift from heroin to cocaine has increased the number of needles used in the region.
The health department estimates there are 3,000 injection drug users in the region. The number of HIV positive cases among this group is estimated between 300 to 760.
A mobile van clinic services the areas most affected by the increase,including Centretown. The van clinic exchanges needles, provides HIV testing and counselling. Last year, 6,000 people visited the van.
Despite the HIV increase, Dorschner says injection drug use in Ottawa-Carleton is not on the rise. She also insists the needle exchange program doesn’t encourage drug use.
“We are there to exchange needles, not to give them (away),” says Dorschner. “We have to make sure we are there to get the dirty needles off the streets also.”
Carey Depalezieux, a public health nurse in the van clinic, says people shouldn’t be afraid of being arrested if they exchange needles.
“We have a special arrangement with the police. They are not supposed to follow us.”
The van clinic can be reached at 797-2735.