Abbotsford's anti-harm reduction bylaw is a major factor driving the city's high Hepatitis C rates, according to experts.

David Portesi, Fraser Health director of health promotion and prevention, emphasized the need to establish harm reduction measures in Abbotsford at a public forum focusing on Hepatitis C at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Nov. 4.

The Fraser East region, which includes Abbotsford, has the third highest reported rate of Hep C incidence in B.C., according to Fraser Health 2008 data.

Additionally, Abbotsford has a Hep C rate of 69.6 per 100,000 people compared to the surrounding municipalities of Chilliwack at a rate of 67.6, and Surrey at 60.2.

Fraser Health funds three community organizations to provide and collect needles in Burnaby/New Westminster, Surrey and Chilliwack.

Mission also has one service organization distributing needles on a limited basis.

However, Fraser Health has not funded harm reduction services into Abbotsford because of its anti-harm reduction bylaws, said Portesi.

Rather than strong arm the city, Fraser Health is trying to work cooperatively with Abbotsford while it examines its "anti-harm" reduction bylaws, he said.

The city's current bylaw has banned harm reduction facilities such as needle exchanges or injection sites in all zones of the city.

The bylaw is presently undergoing a review by city staff but health experts and a local drug users advocacy group have concerns about the process.

Barry Shantz, director of the BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors (DWS), said the harm reduction survey and review process is flawed.

Drug users are not being heard from in the process, said Shantz.

Among other things, Fraser Health and DWS expressed concerns the survey was not reviewed by experts, the language level was too high for drug users, and the process does not draw on input from focus groups comprised of the population most impacted by the bylaws.

However, some progress has been made, said Shantz.

City staff agreed to receive feedback from a group comprised of drug users and members of Abbotsford's service community.

Shantz said the drug user group's goals are to obtain safe and assisted-injection sites and safe-smoking sites.

"I know that's a lot for Abbotsford to swallow at this time," he said.

Mayor George Peary concedes that health experts have made council aware of the Hep C rates in the city, which are "nothing to be proud of."

"Fraser Health has been patient with us. They believe our Hep C above-average rate is a consequence of our ban on needle exchanges," Peary said.

"They have the power to set up a facility if they choose, but to their credit they prefer persuasion to coercion."

Peary said it is too early to predict what council would decide when revisiting the bylaws in the new year.

However, he suggested a needle exchange might be a possibility, but a safe-injection site would never fly.

He said council is waiting to hear from all the stakeholders and drug users are one member of a larger group.

"There are strong feelings on all sides of the issue and we're trying to listen to everyone."

Portesi said Fraser Health's main concern is increasing the availability of clean needles for users in Abbotsford.

"It's so important because needle distribution programs reduce disease transmission and engage IV drug users in a discussion around their recovery and treatment and allow access to services to improve their health.