Canada: HIV and Hepatitis C on the Rise Among Montreal Drug Users

Montreal public health authorities reported recently what they said is an alarming increase in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases among injection drug users (IDUs). A greater supply of clean needles is needed to combat these blood-borne infections, they said.

HCV and HIV cases among the hundreds of IDUs Montreal screens remained stable between 1997 and 2003. Between 1997 and 2003, Montreal recorded 26 HCV cases per 100 IDUs. Since then, however, the rate of infections has doubled. HIV infections are now up to five new cases per 100 people screened, compared with 3.5 cases three years ago.

The demand for sterile needles -- about 15 million per year in the greater Montreal area -- outstrips the supply, said Terry Tannenbaum, a physician with the city's public health department. "Unfortunately, with the programs we have in place, we're not close to that," said Tannenbaum, who estimated the city was meeting just one-tenth the need for sterile needles.

City health officials are receptive to the idea of a safe injection site as a means to disseminate sterile IDU equipment, said Tannenbaum. "It's certainly one of the parts of harm reduction, making things as safe as possible for drug users when they inject."

Veronique Houle, coordinator of the IDU-written magazine L'Injecteur, said part of the reason for the scarcity of sterile syringes stems from public resistance to needle distribution and exchange programs.

Back to other news for September 18, 2006