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To produce a live, in-person event wasn't possible this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, so we moved our event online!  Unfortunately, our Annual AIDS Benefit was postponed due to the passing of a pillar in our community. Many of our performers and speakers had been impacted by this loss and wished to postpone.
Stay tuned for our event in the new year.
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On September 19th, we held our "Stay at Home Edition" Amazing Race Against HIV. The entire event was held online and our participants raced around the world from their computers. We raised $1,200!
A big thank you to all our sponsors, donors, participants, and well wishers for a fantastic event. We can not wait to create new challenges and clues for you for The Amazing Race Against HIV 2021 (we hope we can hold our event in person as we have some great partnerships and ideas planned!) Thank you for your support!  A huge thank you to COBS Bread Grasslands. We were the charity of choice for their hot cross bun fundraiser, April 4th, and they raised $780! This donation, especially during this time, will help us to continue our essential services. We really appreciate the continued support we receive from Ashley and her team every Tuesday/Thursday with their bread donations and thinking of us for their fundraiser.  The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has created a truly unprecedented situation which affects us all. Our hearts go out to anyone who's been impacted by the virus either directly or indirectly. During this time, we want to reach out and check in on our clients. We at AIDS PROGRAMS SOUTH SASK want you to know that we are still here for you. Please do not hesitate to call if you require our Client Care Services. We are here for you. Moments like this, reminds us that we're all connected. We're called upon to be our best selves, with patience, understanding, and compassion. Together we will get through this. Morag Hurn
Client Services Coordinator In 2019, we surveyed Needle Exchange clients every month. We asked an anonymous question to different people and then took down their answer and their Needle Exchange ID. This was done to ensure accuracy of results and evade duplicated data. At the end of the three weeks, all data was collected and separated by gender, age, ethnicity, and location. (Graphs were made depending on relevance). The questions we asked were as followed:
People were very open with their answers, even to the point of going into detail and telling our staff their story. By providing a safe space, being anonymous and having consistent staff, needle exchange clients are more likely to trust us. The responses from the injection drug users have been informative which have helped in relationship building as well as enhance our programs to meet the needs of our clients. This year, we implemented crack and meth pipes into our exchange after our February survey. In 2020, we will take this data as a needs assessment and turn what we have learned into where we need to focus. This could include: increased youth education on injection drug use, working with our NEP clients in a way they will understand, and creating awareness events for the public. January 8 people asked inquired about getting tested for HIV. One person who said no was informed about our testing, and they got tested that day at our facility. One person said they had not gotten tested for HIV but “knew they had it”. They chose to not get tested because a positive test result would not be able to be ignored. 35 Females said yes (32 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 10 Females said no (8 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 36 Males said yes (25 were Aboriginal/ 11 were Caucasian). 12 Males said no (7 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). 6 people, in the 3 weeks the survey was being done, were tested for HIV compared to the month of December (4) and the month of November (2). Unfortunately, our nurse is only in on Thursdays for 2 hours which hinders people getting tested. Testing events were held throughout the year including HIV National Testing Day (June 27th) and AIDS Awareness Week (November 28th). We tested 18 people on June 27th which was the most tested in Regina that day! In collaboration with health professionals, APSS held four HCV testing events; two of which was held in collaboration with the Newo Yotina Friendship Centre. A nurse tested through point of care 84 individuals. For events held at our office, a fibro scan was done, and a phlebotomist took blood samples for the lab. FEBRUARY 6 people answered that it depends on what substance they are using. In our 2018 September monthly survey, “How else do you use drugs besides injecting?”, smoking was the top choice. Some people were very against pipes saying, “Pipes are hard on the lungs” “Pipes are too dirty”. 15 Females said pipe (14 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 32 Females said needle (28 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 29 Males said pipe (26 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 32 Males said needle (27 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). We asked this question before receiving safe inhalation kits (crack/meth pipes) the next month (March 4th) in our needle exchange. We had a huge increase in clients the following months requesting only crack/meth pipes. Currently, we have 376 clients who come to our exchange only for safe inhalation kits. Clients could receive one crack and meth pipe and were encouraged to bring back the pipes to reduce the number of pipes in the community. We found that clients were not motivated to bring back the pipes as they did not receive an exchange and were using them to the point of shattering. On October 30th, we began pipe exchange. Our returns increased from 27 to 201. March 5% of people “clean” their needles with bleach before using again. This, however, is not an effective way of cleaning needles for HIV/HCV. Of the people who said yes, the highest group were in their 30s, followed closely by people in their 20s whereas of the people who said no, the highest group were in their 40s. 20 Females said yes (15 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). 14 Females said no (11 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 18 Males said yes (11 were Aboriginal/ 7 were Caucasian). 23 Males said no (18 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). Many clients are knowledgeable on the risks of sharing needles but have coined the phrase “Re-Use Sundays” as no services are open. Many will not share needles with each other but are comfortable re- using their own. April 28.8% of all people who said morphine specified that they did hydromorphone, which is approximately 5 times stronger than morphine. 23 Females said Morphine (19 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 16 Female said Methamphetamine (14 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 7 Females said Cocaine (6 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 2 Females said Methylphenidate (Both are Aboriginal). 37 Males said Morphine (32 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). 22 Males said Methamphetamine (18 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 5 Males said Cocaine (3 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 4 Males said Fentanyl (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 2 Males said Heroin (Both are Caucasian). 2 Males said Methylphenidate (Both are Aboriginal). Listed on the graph are the medical drug names but in the Needle exchange we received the following drug slang: Down, Side, Sets, T’s and R’s, Coke, Up, and Jib. As Crystal Meth use rises in Regina, we are still seeing a constant in Morphine use in our clients. However, from our last years surveys, meth use increased by over double from 7 (2017) to 16 (2018) to 39 (2019). However, the amount of meth pipes given out in our exchange daily is high, and this question was asked specifically for needle use. May 12 people inquired about getting training. One person was upset to hear that we offer free kits to anyone trained as she had been purchasing them off the street for an inflated price. 3 Females said yes (2 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 36 Females said no (27 were Aboriginal/ 9 were Caucasian). 12 Males said yes (8 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 35 Males said no (25 were Aboriginal/ 10 was Caucasian). With the high levels of interest in Naloxone kits and training, APSS became a distribution site in November 2018. All APSS staff have been trained and will be able to train anyone interested in Naloxone. The training, depending on those being trained, takes 15 minutes and trains individuals on how to administer the drug, how to identify an overdose, and overdose prevention. In 2019, we trained 206 people and replaced 84 kits that were used in an overdose (gave out 353 kits). One person had just lost a friend to an overdose the day before. In a separate overdose survey, 66% of people surveyed have overdosed. Of people surveyed, 50% have witnessed 1-5 overdoes and 33.3% have witnessed over 15 overdoses. 1 person answered that they have never witnessed an overdose. When asked if they knew someone who had died from an overdose, our most chosen answer was over 5 people. June 88% of people asked knew that cookers can only be used one as the supplies we have rust. We also let our clients know that studies have now released that HIV can be transmitted through cookers and other drug equipment. 23 Females said once (22 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 6 Females said more than once (4 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian) 37 Males said once (28 were Aboriginal/ 9 was Caucasian). 2 Males said more than once (1 was Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). One person specified that they use a new cooker per new pill which depending on the pill, will depend on the amount of hits. A few people mentioned that they find cookers dirty and prefer to use spoons. July 39% of people who said they started between the ages of 15-19, started at 18; 18% started at 16. This was only for injection drugs, meaning they could have started smoking (tobacco or marijuana) or drinking alcohol much earlier. Three people specified that they started smoking marijuana at 11/12 but started injection drugs much later in life. 1 Female said under 10 years old (She was Aboriginal). 10 Females said 11-14 years old (9 were Aboriginal/1 was Caucasian). 12 Females said 15-19 years old (11 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 9 Females said 20-24 years old (All were Aboriginal). 13 Females said 25-29 years old (All were Aboriginal). 1 Female said 30-34 years old (She was Aboriginal). 1 Female said 35-39 years old (She was Aboriginal). 2 Females said over 40 years old (They were Aboriginal). 2 Males said under 10 years old (They were Aboriginal). 8 Males said 11-14 years old (6 were Aboriginal/2 were Caucasian). 16 Males said 15-19 years old (13 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 8 Males said 20-24 years old (6 were Aboriginal/2 were Caucasian). 9 Males said 25-29 years old (5 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 4 Males said 30-34 years old (2 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 3 Males said 35-39 years old (All were Aboriginal). 4 Males said over 40 years old (All were Aboriginal). Our youngest answer for injecting drugs was 7 years old and this year we saw an increase in younger users who started using drugs from 11-14 years old from 10 (2018) to 18 (2019). August 34.5% of people who answered Crystal Meth specified that they use it for “hot rails” (the act of snorting a line of crystal meth through the nose by heating up the end of a glass pipe and then opening your mouth to release white smoke). 39 Females said Crack (35 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 3 Females said Tobacco (All were Aboriginal). 9 Females said Fentanyl (7 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 8 Females said Cocaine (All were Aboriginal). 8 Females said Heroin (7 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 10 Females said Crystal Meth (All were Aboriginal). 8 Females said Marijuana (7 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 46 Males said Crack (34 were Aboriginal/ 11 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 3 Males said tobacco (All were Aboriginal). 10 Males said Fentanyl (6 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 8 Males said Cocaine (4 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 7 Males said Heroin (3 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 18 Males said Crystal Meth (13 were Aboriginal/ 5 was Caucasian). 19 Males said Marijuana (12 were Aboriginal/ 7 were Caucasian). 2 Males said Morphine (both were Aboriginal). When we were working out how the pipes were to be distributed, clients would take both pipes as they could only get one of each pipe per day, even though some only use meth. People told us they would either sell the crack pipe ($10), keep it in case anyone using with them needed it, or use it to smoke meth. One client even said they make a makeshift meth pipe from the crack pipe for “meth when my meth pipe is done.”. We also had many people comment that they were using the “straight” pipes as a weed/tobacco pipe since legalization of Marijuana in Canada last October. September 33.3% of all people who said no said they were married/ only with one partner. 3 women self-identified as street workers and all of them said they practice safe sex by using condoms, dental dams, and lube. 30 Females said yes (24 were Aboriginal/ 6 were Caucasian). 4 Females said no (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 32 Males said yes (28 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 5 Males said no (2 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). In 2019, we gave out 25,630 condoms in our needle exchange program. October The “Other” category included a value that did not fit in our time frame (once a week). 55.5% of all people who fell in the 3-5x category, said they used 3 times a day and even went into detail to say they use when they wake up, halfway through the day, and at night. 10 Females said 1-2x (9 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 14 Females said 3-5x (13 were Aboriginal/1 was Caucasian). 3 Females said 6-8x (2 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 1 Female said 9-10x (She was Caucasian). 17 Males said 1-2x (15 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 22 Males said 3-5x (15 were Aboriginal/ 7 were Caucasian). 5 Males said 6-8x (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 2 Males said 9-10x (1 was Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 1 Male said over 10x (He was Aboriginal). 1 Male said other (He was Aboriginal). The person who was using 20x a day, did not specify what drug they use but, use small amounts of drug many times. A woman told us that she used to use 15x a day but wants to quit and has lowered her use to 2-3 times a day. Many answered specific numbers of use however one man told us he uses twice a day minimum. November Of all people asked, 3 (all men) expressed that they share needles, however, each specified their answer with “sometimes” “I try not too” and “only with my wife”. 28 Females said no (24 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 3 Males said yes (1 were Aboriginal/ 2 was Caucasian). 45 Males said no (34 were Aboriginal/ 10 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). Back in March, we asked if clients reuse their own needles and they were more open to reusing their own needles vs. sharing with others when services are not available (“Re-use Sundays”). We continue to educate our clients in the needle exchange with quick informative tips and handbills. Information includes harm reduction such as overdose prevention, HIV information on down to reduce the spread of HIV, STI information and where to get tested, and addiction information for treatment. This year, 2,679 conversations were made with 1,215 in relation to harm reduction. December 2 people, in the 3 weeks the survey was being done, were tested for HIV compared to the month of October (4) and the month of November (4). Unfortunately, our nurse is only in on Thursdays for 2 hours which hinders people getting tested.
18 Females said yes (17 were Aboriginal/1 was Caucasian). 10 Females said no (7 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 32 Males said yes (25 were Aboriginal/7 were Caucasian). 16 Males said no (11 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian/1 was Other). When comparing our results from January, we found that many clients have been tested for HIV but do not keep up with yearly tests. Many chose to get tested at the beginning of the year vs. at the end of the year (Tested 6 in January for HIV; 2 in December). While asking the question, 149 HIV conversations were had on why to get tested, how the test works, and where to get tested. Thank you to everyone who attended the 31st Annual AIDS Benefit. This year, $5,688 was raised to support people living with HIV!
Thank you to Gay & Lesbian Community of Regina, the planning committee, performers, volunteers, donors and everyone who attended. Thank you for your support!
On August 17th, we held our second annual Amazing Race Against HIV in Victoria Park. We raised $11,208!
We had 6 teams compete, over 25 participants, and many spectators to cheer on the teams.
A big thank you to all our sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and well wishers for a fantastic event. We can not wait to create new challenges and clues for you for The Amazing Race Against HIV 2020!
Thank you for your support!
The Last of The Rainbows was our top fundraising team raising $2,869.00.
Team Times:
Winner of the 50/50: Cheryl Ruddell - $48 Winners of the Raffle Prizes:
In 2018, we surveyed Needle Exchange clients for 3 weeks every month. We asked an anonymous question to 120 different people and then took down their answer and their Needle Exchange ID. This was done to ensure accuracy of results and evade duplicated data. At the end of the three weeks, all data was collected and separated by gender, age, ethnicity, and location. (Graphs were made depending on relevance). The questions we asked were as followed:
People were very open with their answers, even to the point of going into detail and telling our staff their story. By providing a safe space, being anonymous and having consistent staff, needle exchange clients are more likely to trust us. From our everyday stats, only 16% of people picking up needles are Caucasian. We make sure to keep that percentage with everyone we ask. The responses from the injection drug users have been informative which have helped in relationship building as well as enhance our programs to meet the needs of our clients. In 2019, we will take this data as a needs assessment and turn what we have learned into where we need to focus. This could include: increased youth education on injection drug use, working with our NEP clients in a way they will understand, and creating awareness events for the public. January 24.2% of all people who said morphine specified that they did hydromorphone, which is approximately 5 times stronger than morphine. 27 Females said morphine (26 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 11 Females said cocaine (8 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 7 Female said methamphetamine (3 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 4 Females said methylphenidate (All were Aboriginal). 3 Females said pentazocine/ tripelennamine (All were Aboriginal). 1 Female said heroin (She was Aboriginal). 2 Females said Fentanyl (1 was Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 35 Males said morphine (27 were Aboriginal/ 7 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 14 Males said cocaine (11 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 9 Males said methamphetamines (6 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 2 Males said methylphenidate (All were Aboriginal). 5 Males said heroin (4 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). Listed on the graph are the medical drug names but in the Needle exchange we received the following drug slang: Down, Side, Sets, T’s and R’s, Coke, Up, and Jib. In May 2017, reported by CBC News, crystal meth spiked dramatically in Saskatchewan and the health minister said, “Fentanyl has received a lot of attention and certainly the mortality is significant, but what's being missed here is the mortality associated with crystal meth in part due to HIV/AIDS. People with HIV are too unstable to continue the daily treatment they need to survive while using crystal meth.” (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/minister-reiter-meth-crisis-response-saskatchewan-1.4138363). By comparing our results from January 2018 and March 2017, our clients still continue to use morphine and cocaine over crystal meth with only 16 individuals using meth in January and 7 using in March. FEBRUARY 19% of people who answered no specified that they were married with the same partner. 18.9% of people participating in our survey practice safe sex through the use of condoms even though 35% of that group answered no to getting tested regularly. 5 women self identified as street workers and all of them said they get tested regularly. 24 Females said yes (20 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 17 Females said no (13 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian) 24 Males said yes (20 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 25 Males said no (19 were Aboriginal/ 6 were Caucasian). On February 14th, we sent our students to the University of Regina to hand out condoms and promote testing and safer sex. We gave out over 1500 condoms and 500 testing cards. The next day during testing, we had one person come specifically because of our testing promotion the day before. 9 people, in the 3 weeks the survey was being done, were tested for HIV, HCV, and STI’s compared to the month of December (1) and the month of January (5). Unfortunately, our nurse is only in on Thursdays for 2 hours which hinders people getting tested. March On average, the people surveyed spend $431 a week (with an average of $197 in the $100-499 bracket). 5 Females said prescribed (3 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 2 Females said under $50 (both were Aboriginal). 4 Females said between $50-99 (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 23 Females said between $100-499 (20 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 10 Females said between $500-1000 (9 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 5 Females said over $1000 (2 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 4 Males said prescribed (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 9 Males said under $50 (8 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 7 Males said between $50-99 (all were Aboriginal). 28 Males said between $100-499 (23 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). 17 Males said between $500-1000 (13 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 4 Males said over $1000 (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Other). 22 people also answered our January survey (What is your drug of choice?) and found that their spending habits were sporadic. 12 said morphine with prices ranging from prescribed ($0) to $900 a week. 4 said cocaine with prices ranging from $100-700 a week. 3 said Ritalin with prices ranging from $60-1,000 a week. 2 said crystal meth with prices ranging from $400-1,100 a week. 1 said heroin for $2,000 a week. From these numbers we are unable to see how many times our clients are using said drug per day however we had 5 people answer our 2017 April survey (How many times do you use a day?) and their answers ranged from twice a day to 5 times. April 32% of people who said they started between the ages of 15-19, started at 19; 29% started at 16. This was only for injection drugs, meaning they could have started smoking or drinking alcohol much earlier. Our youngest answer for injecting drugs was 9 years old. 6 Females said 11-14 years old (4 were Aboriginal/2 were Caucasian). 10 Females said 15-19 years old (All were Aboriginal). 13 Females said 20-24 years old (11 were Aboriginal/2 were Caucasian). 6 Females said 25-29 years old (5 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 4 Females said 30-34 years old (2were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 2 Females said 35-39 years old (All were Aboriginal). 4 Females said over 40 years old (All were Aboriginal). 1 Male said under 10 years old (He was Aboriginal). 4 Males said 11-14 years old (2 were Aboriginal/2 were Caucasian). 21 Males said 15-19 years old (18 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 11 Males said 20-24 years old (10 were Aboriginal/1 was Caucasian). 7 Males said 25-29 years old (2 were Aboriginal/ 5 were Caucasian). 7 Males said 30-34 years old (6 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 4 Males said 35-39 years old (3 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 3 Males said over 40 years old (2 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). Since our database records the year our clients were born, we can calculate the number of years to date a client has been using injection drugs. The average amount is 16 years; with 43 being the highest and just started this year being the lowest. Which offers the question…is it harder to quit drugs the more years you have been hooked or harder to quit when you have just started? (We can’t say for sure if clients have been injecting the entire time ie. incarceration, in treatment, etc) May The “Other” category included something to do in jail, wanting to quit drinking and wanting a stronger high. 48% of people who answered grief also mentioned that they continue to use due to mental health issues such as depression and feeling suicidal. 10 Females said Curiosity (9 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 8 Females said Family (All were Aboriginal). 8 Females said Friends (6 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 15 Females said Grief (13 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 8 Females said Medical (All were Aboriginal). 5 Females said Other (2 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 14 Males said Curiosity (11 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 5 Males said Family (All were Aboriginal). 9 Males said Friends (8 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 6 Males said Grief (3 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 11 Males said Medical (5 were Aboriginal/ 6 were Caucasian). 7 Males said Other (4 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). Answers ranged from horrific stories of physical or psychological trauma (losing loved ones, children being taken away, and sexual assault) to a man saying his family injected him without consent while he was sleeping as it was a “family tradition”. June 60% of people who answered no inquired about training and receiving a kit. 11 Females said yes (7 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 39 Females said no (33 were Aboriginal/ 6 were Caucasian) 10 Males said yes (8 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 58 Males said no (46 were Aboriginal/ 11 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). With the high levels of interest in Naloxone kits and training, AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan (APSS) became a distribution site in November 2018. All APSS staff have been trained and will be able to train anyone interested in Naloxone. The training, depending on those being trained, takes 30 minutes and trains individuals on how to administer the drug, how to identify an overdose, and overdose prevention. Kits can be distributed to injection drug users or family of injection drug users who have taken the training. From November to December 2018, 7 people were trained with 1 people being eligible to receive a kit. In 2019, we are aiming to double these numbers through more promotion in our needle exchange and off-site training of health care professionals. July/August The Other category included prescription drugs, such as ADHD medication and pain medication, and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy. 43% of the people who answered other said their first drug was cocaine even after explaining the definition of a drug (“a substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body”). However, many who were asked the survey question did not view nicotine or alcohol as a drug. 3 Females said alcohol (2 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 10 Females said marijuana (9 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 8 Females said nicotine (5 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 10 Females said other (7 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 7 Males said alcohol (3 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 9 Males said marijuana (6 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 8 Males said nicotine (7 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian). 5 Males said other (3 were Aboriginal/ 2 was Caucasian). One woman told us that she started on nicotine because everyone was smoking, and it was easily accessible. She then started “real drugs” when she was 26 years old (33 years ago). One man described his drug journey as he got older, starting with alcohol and then marijuana, cocaine, and crystal meth. One man was nine years old when his older brother showed him how to inject cocaine. The youngest we had using a drug was seven years old (this was on marijuana). September 16 of the 116 asked said not only do they inject drugs, they also smoke, snort, take orally, and sometimes huff. 14 Females said inject only (12 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 3 Females said oral (All were Aboriginal). 34 Females said smoke (26 were Aboriginal/ 8 were Caucasian). 7 Females said snort (5 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 19 Males said inject only (15 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 7 Males said oral (5 were Aboriginal/ 1 was Caucasian/ 1 was Other). 22 Males said smoke (18 were Aboriginal/ 4 were Caucasian). 10 Males said snort (3 were Aboriginal/ 7 were Caucasian). One man used to “do it all” but now is slowly quitting by only injecting while another man is switching to a different method to consume drugs instead of injecting. One man, since he was nine years old (24 years ago), has been only injecting. In August, AIDS Saskatoon pushed for clean pipes to be supplied at needle exchanges across Saskatchewan in an effort to reduce HIV rates. The hope was that injection drug users would use them to get high instead of needles if pipes were more available. After talks across the province, pipes will be available at needle exchanges March 2019. october Of the 42 people who answered yes (an increase of 75% from last years survey (from 24 to 42)) to overdosing, 7.1% said due to crystal meth, 26.2% said due to cocaine,14.3% said due to fentanyl, 33.3% said due to heroin, 4.8% said due to methadone, and the other 14.3% amounted to painkillers, alcohol and pills. 8 have overdosed multiple times, one even said 9 times on heroin alone, and 2 have died (have been resuscitated or been in a coma). 19 Females said yes (All were Aboriginal). 36 Females said no (32 were Aboriginal/4 were Caucasian). 23 Males said yes (15 were Aboriginal/8 were Caucasian). 38 Males said no (27 were Aboriginal/9 were Caucasian/2 were Other). One woman said that for the twenty-three years she has been using injection drugs, since she was seventeen years old, she has never overdosed. However, she also was a morphine user who was not using harder drugs that our clients are overdosing on such as heroin, cocaine, or fentanyl. One man overdosed on painkillers while selling in a gang when he was young. One man overdosed in Vancouver where a naloxone kit saved him. We continue to educate our clients in the needle exchange with quick informative tips and handbills. Information includes harm reduction such as overdose prevention, HIV information on down to reduce the spread of HIV, STI information and where to get tested, and addiction information for treatment. This year, 2,311 conversations were made with 700 in relation to harm reduction. November 13 people were referred to treatment options in November while asking this survey. 25 Females said yes (22 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 19 Females said no (17 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). 33 Males said yes (23 were Aboriginal/ 10 were Caucasian). 19 Males said no (16 were Aboriginal/ 3 were Caucasian). 6 people had been to treatment more than once (up to five times) and one man had just gotten out of treatment this morning before coming to pick up needles. 3 men had been forced into treatment/detox while in jail and one woman was passionately against treatment and going. She did not believe it worked nor had any interest in attending. Many who answered yes to this survey said even though they had gone to a treatment centre, they were not ready to quit. As answered in a previous survey, many use drugs because of underlining issues that can not always be treated in one treatment session such as grief, mental health, and family cycles. December In the 3 weeks the survey was being done, 6 people inquired and were referred, with 4 returning for our Thursday HIV testing compared to the month of November (2) and the month of October (4). Unfortunately, our nurse was not in for the 3 weeks and is only normally in on Thursdays for 2 hours which hinders people getting tested.
45 Females said yes (38 were Aboriginal/7 were Caucasian). 3 Females said no (All were Aboriginal). 57 Males said yes (41 were Aboriginal/15 were Caucasian/1 was Other). 8 Males said no (6 were Aboriginal/ 2 were Caucasian). One man told us he had just got tested as he had gotten bitten. While he had been working security at a local bar, he had been bitten by someone. We assured the man that while this was not an effective route of transmitting HIV, it was a smart idea to get tested. Many people who answered also told us their HIV status which further promotes talking about HIV and breaking down the stigma. While asking the question, 262 HIV conversations were had on why to get tested, how the test works, and where to get tested. The 30th Annual AIDS Benefit raised $6,232.00; the most that's ever been raised! Thank you to Gay & Lesbian Community of Regina, the planning committee, performers, volunteers, donors and everyone who attended. Thank you for your support!  
 On September 15th, we held our first annual Amazing Race Against HIV in Victoria Park. We raised $11,930.15!
 A big thank you to all our sponsors, donors, participants, volunteers and well wishers for a fantastic event. We can not wait to create new challenges and clues for you for The Amazing Race Against HIV 2019! Thank you for your support!  The Last of The Rainbows was our top fundraising team raising $4,569.00.
Team Times:
Winners of the Raffle Prizes:
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