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durhamrcgion.com John Howard Society battles misconceptions of at-risk program THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ April 26,2006 ♦ Page 3 WIFE WANTED Due to massive overstock, Singer Sewing Centre is offering for sale to the public a limited number of new special 2006 HEAVY DUTY Zig-Zag sewing machines which are industrial strength and sew on all fabrics, denim, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch, vinyl, silk. EVEN SEWS ON LEATHER. No attachments needed for button holes (any size), monograms, hems, sews on buttons, satin overcasts, darns, appliqués and more. 50 stitch functions, simulated serging stitch. Just set dials and see magic happen. These machines are suitable for home, professional or school room sewing, 25 yr. ltd. warranty. Your price with this ad - $299 - without this ad - $599.95. Cash or VISA, MASTERCARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS, LAY-A-WAY. PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED. This is the machine your wife wanted! SINGER® 11 SIMCOEST.S. OFFER EXPIRES APRIL 29/06 SEWING CENTRE OSHAWA OPEN: MON.-FRl. 9 TO 5:30 Sf.aStEFB IPÆMAf / CF THE KKH CCTOOT1IMTED 905-433-1140 SAT. 9 TO 4 Project X-Change' reduces harm, protects public- BY JULIAN FOLLEBT Staff Writer OSHAWA - The weathered sign outside outside Beth Whalen's office reads "harm reduction," but in many cases the help she offers behind the door is actually life saving. At the Oshawa office of the John Howard Society (JHS), a cheerful Ms. Whalen wélcomes a daily stream of people people looking to. exchange used syringes for clean ones, no judgment, no preaching. preaching. She also dispenses condoms, sterile water, alcohol swabs, ascorbic acid, filters filters - anything that makes life safer for intravenous drug users and others involved in at-risk activities. Project X-Change started small as a pilot in 1992, and picked up steam in 1997 after it was granted official program program status. . As word of mouth and funding continue continue to increase, so do- the numbers. In 2001, 32,285 needles were given out and 31,395 came in. Last year, those numbers stood at 102,923 and. 102,254 respectively. "There is still a certain degree of controversy about what we do here," said Ms. Whalen, who is now the project manager. "Unfortunately, some people think we-are condoning drug use. The reality is, people have made a choice to use and we're just trying to keep them, and the public, safe." Project X-Change is offered at JHS offices in Oshawa, Bowmanville and Ajax, and through mobile outreach units. In addition to safely collecting used syringes and handing out harm-reduction harm-reduction supplies, the staff make referrals for medical care, addiction treatment, counselling, counselling, housing and other services, and provide educational materials promoting safer sex and injection drug use. All aspects of the program are vital, but the needle exchange is big from a public safety jstandpoint;.No clients'are turned a,wayfrutitys*, Whalen sg((l,they, stipngly ; , encourage, dirty,,needles to be; traded in for clean ones, potentially keeping , thousands of syringes from being tossed in garbage cans or left in parks and ravines. Despite .their best efforts, syringes still turn up, especially at this time of year when students and volunteer groups are involved in massive litter cleanup efforts. Ms. Whalen said it is essential ■ for people .to know what to do if they find a syringe and is concerned by the misinformation misinformation that persists. "I hear people say things like 'wrap it in cardboard and throw it out,' or 'toss it in a dumpster,' and it just scares me," she said. "Think about the garbage man who could get stuck with a needle and have to deal with the pain and stress of not knowing what it might be carrying." If a syringe is found, Ms. Whalen said people should ideally call the JHS or the Durham Region Health Department, both of which offer free pick up services. If. the syringe needs to be moved immediately, immediately, tongs of heavy gloves should be used to pick it up barrel first, and a heavy plastic container should be used for disposal, Correction Incorrect information appeared in a f story which ran in the Sunday, April 23, l edition of Clarington This Week. !; Groups that wish to volunteer to clean -an area during the Pitch In Canada ' Operation Clean Sweep can call Susan i Arends at the Operations Department, at '905-263-2291. This Week/The Canadian Statesman regrets the error. • # • A story from our April 21 edition, titled "Durham organizations receive ■ provincial grants," should have stated j Wind Reach Farm had received grants from the Trillium Foundation in 2001, 2002 and 2006. This Week/The Canadian Statesman regrets the error. INCREDIBLY CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR AGES 13 + FINE ARTS • COMMUNICATION ARTS • ANIMATION MOVIE MAKING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • MASTER CLASSES Check out the online brochure and register at http://dca.durhamc.on.ca/summershorts or call the Summer Shorts Coordinator at 905.721.3111 ext 2434 for more information. Schools of Design & Communication Arts * MEAT SHOPS Hundreds of meal ideas. ne aisle. Ron Pietroniro/Metrdland Durham Region Media Group Beth Whalen of the John Howard Society runs a needle exchange program called Project X-Change in which used needles are brought in and properly properly disposed of through their agency. To request a syringe pickup in Oshawa Bowmanville, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby call the JHS pager at 905-438-6870. For, and Port Perry call 1-888-245-1045. What to do if you find a syringe Call the John Howard Society or Durham Region Health Department to collect it. If it must be moved immediately, immediately, follow these steps: ■ h, >,i,' /'T'f ■ r ' • Don't touch it - kids should find an adult and adults should find proper tools before removing it; • Using tongs, heavy rubber gloves, or a bare hand if absolutely necessary, pickup the syringe from the barrel end -- never try to re-cap it if the cap has fallen off; • Place the syringe inside something that won't be penetrated by the needle -- ideally a pop can or heavy plastic container like the type 1 that bleach and fabric softener come in; • Bring the container to a John Howard Society office or the Durham Region Health Department; • If you choose to put it out for garbage, separate the container from the rest of the curb-side garbage and clearly label it with black marker as "sharp waste" or "syringes." Portions of solid, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, seasoned and wrapped with a slice of side bacon. 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