Harm reduction awareness needed

By: Daniel Hayduk, Castanet.net

 

Three UBCO nursing students from Vernon say their community needs more harm reduction awareness.

 

While residents may not want to acknowledge drug use is an issue in the community, it exists, says fourth-year student Emily Allingham.

 

"It's in our back alleyways, our parks, every place families go and where citizens walk. Just because its not in the forefront doesn't mean it's not there," says Allingham.

 

Allingham and classmates Megan Cox and Samantha Brown hope a public awareness event that was held on December 1 will begin to bring much needed assistance to the Cammy LaFleur Street Outreach Clinic.

 

The part-time clinic offers a needle exchange and vein maintenance as part of its street outreach.

 

"We're hoping that it will become partially community funded and get the community comfortable with that thought."

 

The outreach centre is staffed by one part-time nurse and funding is desperately needed, says Allingham.