In June a new Needle Exchange Program will open in Montague, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“The main goal of a Needle Exchange Program is to prevent the transmission of illnesses that are spread by sharing equipment used for injection drug use,” said Minister Bertram. “A secondary goal is to increase access to health care services including health education, counseling and immunization.”
In April of 2009, the Department of Health and Wellness began to provide the needle exchange program in both Charlottetown and Summerside. Since then, the program has been expanded to Alberton and this June a new site will open in Montague.
The program helps in preventing the transmission of diseases, such as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV, by providing clean equipment for intravenous drug users.
The most effective approach to controlling transmission is a combination of needle exchange plus education. Through the Needle Exchange Program, clients are also provided health services and advice, including counseling, health teaching to prevent infection, sexual health advice, provision of condoms, wound care and safe needle disposal.
“The provincial needle exchange service is a way to prevent the transmission of disease in a vulnerable population throughout our One Island Community,” said Minister Bertram. “Our Department remains firm in our commitment to this expanded Program and are pleased to be able to open the new site in Montague this June.”
The number of clients using the program has increased significantly. In 2010, the number of client visits ranged from 60-80 per month, and between 15,000 and 20,000 clean needles were distributed and a similar number of used needles collected and disposed of safely. The safe disposal of this equipment contributes to safer communities overall.
The province of Prince Edward Island provides these services free of charge in each region. For more information on the Needle Exchange Program, contact the Chief Health Office at (902) 368-4996.