The Vancouver Island Health Authority is giving up on finding a single fixed-site needle exchange, at least for now.

“Our experience to date has been that it is very difficult to find a needle exchange site that is acceptable to any neighborhood,” said Howard Waldner, VIHA president and CEO. 

On Monday, the health authority announced it will no longer consider opening a fixed-site on Princess Avenue.

Instead, all public health units will now offer the service. VIHA will also be looking to other partners to help distribute and safely dispose of needles, to add to already-existing mobile exchange services.

In the coming weeks it will consult with other social agencies and pharmacies.

It's a request that leaves pharmacies in the downtown core with some questions.

"Before we give needles, we have to make sure the needles will be disposed properly," said Akiko Friedland, of View Street Pharmacy."Before they ask the pharmacies to distribute needles, they have to set up procedures for safe disposal to prevent the accidental infection from the needles discarded on the ground."

London Drugs, which also has a store at 911 Yates St., is open to the idea.

"We'll work with VIHA to make it work," said Keith Lee, pharmacy operations manager at the company headquarters

The strategy to seek out help from private businesses is not part of the distributed model operating in Vancouver.

"We do not operate in conjunction with any pharmacies or corporate partners." wrote Anna Marie D'Angelo of Vancouver Coastal Health in an e-mail.

As part of its distributed model, Vancouver also provides fixed, dedicated centres which cater exclusively to intravenous drug users by offering needle exchange and other support services.

It's a crucial piece of the puzzle, according to Harm Reduction Victoria.

"Fixed site needle exchange services are critical for consistent access to outreach workers and peers," said Heather Hobbs of HRV in a press release.

"While the idea of expanding the number of locations where harm-reduction supplies can be accessed, we are concerned that those locales receive the corresponding transfer of resources and funding."

Drug users may not wish to access needles in a clinic or a pharmacy where they face stigma or discrimination, she added.

rholmen@saanichnews.com