NEEDLE EXCHANGE

Since 1990 the DEYAS Needle Exchange program has been an unqualified success. Started by DEYAS founder John Turvey, its main objective is to prevent the spread of disease through needle sharing and unclean conditions.  Helping with prevention in the spread of disease is just the tip of the iceberg for what this program has been able to accomplish.

Operating daily from 7 am until 2 am the Needle Exchange is a completely mobile service that allows IV drug users to exchange used syringes. The clients can receive clean needles, clean water, alcohol wipes and other supplies including condoms to help prevent the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood borne and sexually transmitted diseases. Clients can access the service by phone or by finding them at specific sites in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) during their shifts.

In addition to supplies, the trained staff also provides information to the clients and assists them with referrals to detoxification centers, recovery houses, medical clinics, meals and housing. By engaging the clients, the staff develops a relationship and level of trust usually difficult to find in the DTES. This confidence and communication proves invaluable for, if and when the client wishes to make changes to their lives as they know they have resources available to them.

The Needle Exchange program also helps the city with the safe pick-up and disposal of used syringes. In addition to pick-ups directly off the street, they also pick up used syringes from other Vancouver Coastal Health Authority funded agencies.

Throughout the city there are also 28 disposal boxes at fixed sites which are emptied and maintained by the Needle Exchange program helping to keep used syringes off the streets and thus helping prevent the spread of disease.

The Needle Exchange program also distributes the Bad Date Sheet list to the sex trade workers in the city. This list was initially started by DEYAS but is now being compiled by WISH (Women's Information Safe Haven) and continues to be handed out by our staff as well as many other agencies.

Needle exchange, condom distribution, client relationship development and engagement, referrals and pick-ups are the foundation of the program, however as equally important is education. DEYAS staff are actively engaged in educating many different aspects of society including elementary and high schools, community groups and businesses on the dangers inherent with IV drug use. They also educate these groups on the proper disposal techniques in the event a used syringe is found and how to properly protect themselves. For more information please see the Community Education program page.

The Needle Exchange is currently operating with a small staff of 4 full time and 4 part time employees.