IS THIS THE MAYOR OF MECKLENBERG STREET???

3, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

A picture of Tim and his cute daughter watching over Mecklenburg Street.




NB Telegraph-Journal | Saint John
As published on page B4 on March 22, 2006

'Street proof' needle boxes may calm concerns
AIDS Saint John expects to hand out 100,000 needles this year

By Jeff Ducharme
Telegraph-Journal

Julie Dingwell of AIDS Saint John says she's not playing the numbers game with people. While she understands people are concerned when a needle is found near their home, she says releasing how many needles are returned by intravenous drug users as compared to those handed out will only be used to thrust the program into a negative light.

But the number of needles handed out in the area from the Port City to Sussex has exploded - up from just 700 needles in 1999 to an expected 100,000 this year.

"I'm just going to tell you we have an excellent return rate," said Ms. Dingwell.

"These same people that maybe worry about finding a needle need to be calling the minister of Health and asking for addictions treatment; we need more and we need it right now because my community is suffering because of addiction."

Jackie Higgins and her eight-year-old son live in the middle of a neighbourhood that is riddled with prostitutes and intravenous drug users - the corner of Coburg and Cliff streets.

"I think the city is more conscientious," said Ms. Higgins about not finding any needles since last year. "I think they're more aware of the problem now."

But in other areas of town, the problem persists.

Tim Smith lives on Mecklenberg Street in the city's South End. In March, his daughter found four needles near his house.


"You just never know where (addicts) are going to chuck them," said Mr. Smith.

The needles were picked up by police.



Mr. Smith supports the needle exchange program, but said neighbours have to stand up and take back their streets instead of abdicating their responsibility to police, city hall or groups such as AIDS Saint John.

"That's the problem, most homeowners don't even know what's going on on their own street," Mr. Smith said. "You have to get out of the backyard to know what's going on in the front yard."

Ms. Higgins also supports the needle exchange.

"I would rather, if that were my child out there, they be using a clean needle than a dirty needle," said Ms. Higgins.



Upset neighbours are nothing new to Ms. Dingwell. She knows the program has shortcomings.

"We know that we need a needle disposal system," Ms. Dingwell said.

AIDS Saint John is currently looking at buying a number of "street proof" needle disposal units that will be placed near areas frequented by intravenous drug users.

"We're not going to go out into this neighbourhood and place them in front of somebody's house, but there are, for instance, even on Waterloo Street, institutions that are open to the idea of having a needle box in front," Ms. Dingwell said.

The containers are used in most major cities.

"We have to be practical about solutions for the community," Ms. Dingwell said. "In an ideal world we wouldn't have people becoming addicted to opiates and then having to sex trade to get their drugs, but we're not in an ideal world."