Extra Money for Needle Exchange in Canada

Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently awarded Oxford County a one-time, $11,208 (US $11,194) grant for its needle-exchange program. The money will be used to help the NEP purchase syringes and cover sharps disposal costs, according to the agreement.

The county and province share the NEP's operating costs, which have been increasing as more clients use the service. The NEP provides injection drug users with clean syringes and injection-related supplies in order to prevent needle-sharing, which can transmit HIV and hepatitis B and C.

The grant was contingent on the county's approval, which came quickly at the council's Wednesday meeting.

"It's well-utilized," said Lynn Beath, the county's public health director. Last year, the NEP had 879 client visits and distributed more than 62,000 syringes, which cost from seven to 28 cents (US $.07-.28) each.

"People are going to be using whether they have a clean supply of needles or they share," Beath said. "They're going to use no matter what. We want to reduce the risk that they're going to spread disease. The other key is . it's not just about the health of the person using the drugs."

Since 1998, Ontario has tasked health units with ensuring access to sterile injection equipment, among other harm-reduction measures. The county launched its NEP in 2000. "It's a mandated program within the Ontario public health standards," Beath said.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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