By Christine de Kock
A PETITION will be started opposing the introduction of a needle exchange program at the Western Region Health Centre’s Braybrook site.
The centre is considering a needle and syringe program (NSP) in Braybrook as means of reducing “drug litter”.
Len Goninon, a Braybrook resident, said a needle and syringe program would encourage drug use.
He also feared the park, which backs on to the centre in Churchill Ave would become a hotspot for drug users.
“Why have it near a park, there are enough needles around now. Children use the park,” he said.
Mr Goninon also thought new mothers who use the centre were at risk of needle stick injuries.
“Infants as well are going in to be weighed and they will be seeing drug users going in there and that’s not morally acceptable.
“My girls go there but they won’t use the centre if there is a needle exchange program – they don’t need to see people affected by drugs and people exchanging needles.”
He suggested the program be established in vacant shops in Ballarat Rd. Mr Goninon said he would be collecting signatures against the program and asked residents to contact him to help circulate the petition.
“We have to tell the Western Region Health Centre that we don’t want it,” he said.
Sharon Reed, the health centre’s primary care services general manager, said the centre had already consulted more than 30 organisations and would continue to consult before a decision was made.
“As part of this consultation process we have met with local primary and secondary schools, some local churches, police, Maribyrnong City Council and councillors as well as local traders and people who use the centre,” she said.
Information was also sent to 300 Braybrook residents through the Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood Association’s newsletter.
The centre will hold a stall at Braybrook’s community festival, the “Big Day Out”on 26 November, where it will also ask for comment on the program.
Ms Reed said concerns raised were mainly around whether access to services would be affected if a new program was introduced at the site.
“Concerns raised at consultancies were around not having access to reception or doctors appointments if the program was introduced,” she said.
She said the centre was looking at a self-help needle and syringe program model.
“Where it is tucked away from everywhere, so people can’t see it.
“It won’t impact on reception because reception are not the ones necessarily who will be giving out syringes.
“What we were trying to look at is what model would work for the feedback that we receive.”
She said people who had attended consultations had not voiced opposition to the project.
She added that there was already drug use and drug litter around Braybrook.
“Essentially the NSP will help with the drug litter,” she said.
“Generally what happens with NSPs the area becomes cleaner, there’s no syringes around because people can responsibly return their syringes.”
She said the community users of Western Region Health Centre’s Braybrook site had no reason to fear being endangered by needle exchange clients.
“There’s no evidence to suggest that there will be an increase in drug use because there is an exchange program. I don’t believe clients of other services will be at risk.
“We are expecting that no more than eight to 10 clients would use the needle exchange a day, so essentially the users will not be taking over the health centre.”
Ms Reed said in reference to Mr Goninon’s fears that children will be exposed to drug users.
To comment on the exchange program contact 9362 8100 to take part in the petition contact 0401 216 533.
