By Ashley Mussbacher (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 15, 2014
Abbotsford could see the development of safe needle exchanges in the near future.
On January 13, Abbotsford City Council met at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium for a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the bylaw that prohibits harm reduction measures in the city. The amendment would allow for Fraser Health Authority (FHA) to organize safe needle exchanges in the city, with the intention of preventing the spread of diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV.
According to the Abbotsford News, the bylaw has been in the review process since 2010 after the FHA and the Hepatitis C Council of British Columbia were concerned about Abbotsford’s high hepatitis C rates.
This amendment proposal was met with mixed feelings at the public hearing, as speakers rose to voice their opinions on the matter. As emotions rose, Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman had to remind spectators that “comments from the audience are not welcome nor are they productive.”
A member of Fraser Health took to the podium to answer any questions or relay any concerns.
“We have good evidence that distribution of clean equipment will decrease infectious diseases,” he said.
Amendment of the bylaw was approved pending final approval, which is slated for the February 3 council meeting.
