SASKATOON – Medical clinics do not include needle exchange programs under the city’s land use and zoning bylaw, but a review is underway to redefine the rules.
Marie Gould operates a business across the street from the 601 Outreach Centre in the Mayfair neighbourhood. Inside, AIDS Saskatoon’s needle exchange has been operating for almost four years.
As for the effectiveness of needle programs, the province estimates that it’s distributed approximately 4.7 million needles during the 2011/2012 period with a recovery rate of 99 per cent.
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The area is also home to two methadone clinics that do not offer needle exchange.
“Methadone clinics, missions – all being in a very small area. The concentration of these services is a concern. The needle exchange, number one, should be brought up to the standards of a medical clinic,” said Gould.
The Riversdale Business Improvement District group voiced concerns at Monday’s council meeting about “clarifying” the definition of a medical clinic to include needle exchange programs.
Any changes will require approval from council after public hearings take place in the new year.
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