Canada: Landmark Needle-Exchange Program Closing Down

Launched 21 years ago, North America's first needle-exchange program (NEP) is closing after Vancouver health officials cut its funding amid allegations of mismanagement. The Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society (DEYAS)-operated exchange distributed about 10 percent of the 1.9 million needles dispensed in the city last year.

The DEYAS program was founded and funded initially by former addict John Turvey, who first anticipated 200 clients. Within six months, the exchange had more than 2,000. City and regional health authorities eventually began funding the NEP. During its peak in the late 1990s, as many as 3 million needles annually were distributed.

The regional agency Vancouver Coastal Health expects the service provided by DEYAS could be switched to another community agency by the middle of July.

Funding for the exchange was cut swiftly following a police investigation into a manager's spending, the replacement of a top manager after erratic behavior, and the resignations of board members. Its staff do not believe NEP services will be maintained and anticipate high-demand, late-night exchange hours will end. Services will likely be curtailed outside of Downtown Eastside, they added.

DEYAS exchanged needles on the streets and operated a sharps pick-up collecting service. The program also answered calls from police, fire, school, and parks officials to pick up used needles.

"I know what it is like when an addict loses hope," said Manny Cu, the NEP's coordinator. "That means they don't give a damn, you are not even scared of dying, dying is a relief," he explained. "If it means that I'm going to use your syringe even though I know you are HIV, I will still use it because I do not worry about tomorrow," Cu said.

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