Proposed needle exchange on Pandora

Ms. Callahan,

First of all, I would like to commend you and your organization for your efforts at helping those who suffer from AIDS on the island. I applaud your efforts and I agree that people who suffer from AIDS need all the community support they can get.

Despite my admiration for your organization, however, I must disagree with the article you wrote in the Sunday Times-Colonist.

While I agree with your comments about the dire need for a needle exchange, and that it be provided as part of a continuum of care along with other health services, I simply cannot support the proximity of the proposed site to an elementary school.

Other jurisdictions that support needle exchanges have legislated minimum distances to schools or daycares. On average, these distances are 1000 feet. This exchange would be a mere 260 feet from St Andrew's Elementary school. Why can't you see the madness in this? Do you think having parents walk past the exchange with their children on a daily basis is a good idea? Can you not see how school parents feel like the needs of the homeless are being put ahead of the needs of their children?

If this goes ahead, it will mean death to the school. Parents will pull their kids and the school will not be able to recruit new kids to going there. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but St Andrew's is an excellent school that actively participates in the community.

Community support is critical to any initiative that helps the homeless. Given the proximity - and the complete absence of consultation - this will never have community support.

I ask you: If you had kids, would you send them to a school that was located so close to a needle exchange?

Yes, there needs to be a needle exchange in Victoria but not within sight of a school.