LOCAL HARM REDUCTION PIONEER UP FOR AWARD

Samantha Mohan of Pacific Connections Services was nominated for an
award heralding the real heroes of the B.C. AIDS movement.

AccolAIDS nominations came out March 8 from the B.C. Persons with AIDS
Society, and several female nominees stand out as "true local heroes,"
noted chair Glyn Townson on International Women's Day.

"Samantha is a hero. She has fought hard and with compassion to
prevent the (HIV) virus wreaking havoc on the lives of women, youth
and others."

Mohan's nomination in the category of Health Promotion and Harm
Reduction is for her work in public education, support, prevention and
harm reduction services, including needle exchange.

Mohan has worked with survival sex-trade workers and at-risk youth in
Chilliwack and other parts of the valley, and for 15 years she has
assisted populations most affected by HIV, "often facing community
censure and seemingly insurmountable obstacles," read the BCPWAS press
release.

Tom Hetherington, MSW Addiction Services Manager, said he was proud to
nominate Mohan for her "selfless" dedication to HIV/AIDS prevention.

"Sam has worked tirelessly in Chilliwack and the Eastern Fraser Valley
to stop the spread of HIV-AIDS," he wrote in a letter the nominating
committee.

"She has focused her work on helping some of society's most maligned
and forgotten - injection drug users and survival sex trade workers."
Mohan spearheaded youth education and support teams including the
Youth AIDS Mentor Program (YAMP) and the Four Peers Program. She's
also the driving force behind events from candlelight vigils,
ChillAids, the Ride for Life - Destination Hope Bicycle Rally, and Red
Ribbon Days, he said.

Hetherington called her "a harm reduction pioneer" running the only
community-based needle exchange between Surrey and Kamloops, despite
opposition she sometimes faced from anti-harm reduction forces.

"Sam is a tireless health educator and harm reduction advocate who
never gives up on people," wrote Hetherington.

"She has been an inspiration to many and has invested her own time and
personal resources in making a difference in the lives of people who
inject drugs, are engaged in the street sex trade, and/or are in same
sex relationships.

"I am honoured to submit her name for an accolAIDS (award) as an AIDS
hero."

HIV infections among women is increasing across Canada, a trend
reflected around the world. This is largely due to the sexual
exploitation, lack of services for, and continued disempowerment of
women.

"International Women's Day challenges the global and local community
to address the rights of women and to recognize the achievements of
remarkable female leaders like Mohan," added Townson.

The AccolAIDS Gala is April 13 at the Hotel Vancouver.