HEALTH EXPERTS HONOUR MAYOR FOR VANCOUVER DRUG PLAN

Medical health officers say the city's multi-pronged approach to illegal
drug use is an example to others

Mayor Philip Owen has become the first person outside the medical field to
win the provincial medical health officer's award of excellence for his
leadership in developing a city drug strategy.

"The mayor has brought clarity and thoughtfulness to this important public
policy discussion," said Dr. Perry Kendall, the provincial medical health
officer, at a small ceremony last week in Owen's office.

"As a civic leader, you are the latest pioneer in a long list. I hope we
see many more civic leaders lining up behind you."

The awards instituted in 1998 and given out twice yearly, have honoured
doctors who have worked for water-quality improvements, pandemic influenza
planning, and tobacco-reduction efforts.

Owen said the award didn't just belong to him.

"I accept it on behalf of hundreds of people," said Owen, thanking everyone
who has stuck with a long and difficult process.

The award will "encourage us to stay together and keep going forward."

The city's drug policy, which Owen has championed energetically, has become
one of the most contentious actions the city has undertaken in recent
years, dividing council and provoking strong resistance from neighbourhoods
around the area of Main and Hastings streets.

It proposes a "four-pillar" approach, modelled on a strategy some European
cities have used, which emphasizes new or increased efforts in enforcement,
prevention, treatment and harm reduction.

Specific recommendations include boosting drug squads to target dealers,
drug courts, a public-education campaign, more treatment beds for young
people and women with children, housing for active drug users, drug-testing
services and consideration of the idea of safe-injection sites.

Supporters see it as the best attempt to come up with a comprehensive
strategy for dealing with the city's drug problem that includes an open,
illegal drug market on Hastings Street, an addict population of 1,000 to
6,000 in the immediate area, dozens of overdose deaths a year, crime, and a
sense of frustration from deteriorating neighbourhoods nearby.

But critics worry the "harm reduction" parts of the proposed strategy will
only encourage continued drug use and drug concentration in the Main and
Hastings area.

The final draft of the drug strategy, which will incorporate public
reaction gathered in January and February, is due to be presented at
council later this month.