Huron Expositor, 2016-12-28, Page 1314 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 28, 2016
The St. James Christmas Concert
With bells in hand, the
students performed a
Christmas melody.
i
Shaun Gregory
Some super heroes showcase their acting skills.
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The kindergartens' singing
at the school's Christmas
Concert last Wednesday.
Needle Exchange Program active in Huron County
Jefferson House
Special to Postmedia
A Needle Exchange Pro-
gram operates in several sites
across the county in Clinton,
Seaforth and Goderich. In
Clinton it is offered through
the Huron County Health
Unit, in Goderich it is offered
through Choices For Change
and in Seaforth it is through
Dr. Datema's Methadone
clinic. However, the Health
Unit in Clinton is used the
most due to its accessibility.
On the health unit's web-
site, they say, "Like all health
units in Ontario, the Huron
County Health Unit offers a
needle exchange program at
several sites across the
county.
Needle exchange programs
help ensure that injection
drug users have access to
FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF
AMANDA DENHAAN
AND CHRIS GRINT
INVITE YOU TO A BUCK AND DOE
IN THEIR HONOUR.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 9PM
AT THE SEAFORTH AGRIPLEX.
15
AVAILABLE AT UPI OR AT THE
20
WEAR YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAMS JERSEY.
LUNCH PROVIDED AGE OF MAJORITY
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1
sterile injection equipment to
prevent transmission of HIV,
hepatitis B, hepatitis C and
other blood-borne infections
and diseases.
This approach is known as
a harm reduction strategy
and is proven across the
world, Canada and Ontario
to be effective in reducing the
spread of disease. It is also
proven to reduce the number
of needles discarded in the
community."
The program was ministry
warranted for the Huron
County area in 2013 due to a
report regarding the intro-
duction of a harm reduction
strategy.
Weather is a key part in
accessibility for needle dis-
posal. In the summer, more
people are able to travel fur-
ther distances to come. In
contrast, in winter, harsh
weather and travel condi-
tions limits accessibility to
facilities.
During 2016, between the
months of January and June,
supplies provided to clients
in March and April (5575
supplies) was triple the
amount provided in January
and February (1700 sup-
plies). Of the supplies pro-
vided in total during the
recorded six months, the
Clinton facility was respon-
sible for 56%. Goderich pro-
vided 29%, and Seaforth sup-
plied the clients with 15%.
The Health Unit said the
reason the Clinton facility
receives and distributes nee-
dles and supplies more than
the other facilities is due to
accessibility for clients. The
Health Unit is open more
often, which allows for more
opportunities to deposit used
supplies.
Anyone is able to stop and
deposit their used supplies or
receive new supplies. The
facilities are not exclusive to
county residents only, mean-
ing anyone can go and get
supplies if needed.
The program is not meant
to eliminate the need for
drugs; it is meant to be a way
for clients from one of
Huron's most vulnerable
populations to get a supply
of clean, sterile resources in
order to preserve their
health from blood-borne
infections.