LEARNING ABOUT 'HARM REDUCTION'

Two terminologies have been bantered about our community at such
great frequency lately, that they fall into the category of local
'buzz words.'

It seems most folks have their own varied view or interpretations of
exactly what the words mean.

From my perspective, these words have become too stereotypical for
reasonable community health.

Sometimes the connotations related to these words are filled with a
lot of ignorance.

The terms are-'homeless' and 'harm reduction.'

Fortunately, those with half an interest can much better educate
themselves on one of those buzz terminologies next week.

The Crossroads Treatment Centre will host a short presentation on
Understanding Harm Reduction.

The informative event takes place on Monday, June 19, 7 p.m., and I
encourage everyone to attend. Crossroads is located at 123 Franklyn
Rd. in Rutland.

Harm reduction is one of the 'pillars' in the Four Pillars concept
of dealing with drug addiction - joining Education, Enforcement and Treatment.

As almost anyone who has come through battling a significant drug
addiction will attest, 'harm reduction' is probably the most
important pillar to the addict at their crisis point.

The others are significant but from the addict's perspective-way
down the list.

To find out more about the various tentacles of harm reduction
listen to the experts on June 19.

I implore you to attend if you really want to have knowledge of our
current community concerns and the various tools needed to help 'fix' things.

Sadly, no one will be hosting a workshop in the near future on the
term 'homeless'-or at least not with much validity.

There are several reasons for that, but foremost is that few who
talk about 'homelessness' really have a clue.

That, and the fact that we have somehow made the term 'homeless'
mean something dirty and vile rather than simply sad.

Kelowna has become an even more intolerant community whose affluence
and economic insulation have dulled our concepts of the world around us.

We live in Lotus Land and it seems that most of us simply have no
time for anything that tarnishes our town.

We use cosmetic pesticides to kill off bothersome weeds and we use
disrespect, heavy handedness and judgement to deal with our down and
out. We are a false paradise.

I will never forget a brief verbal intercourse I had with one of our
community's 'homeless' folks last summer.

For one who was literally living on the streets 'Don' was in fairly
good condition; hair cut, only a day or two's facial hair stubble,
and a clean shirt.

But his health was clearly not good and he was feeling pretty frustrated.

Don looked at me, with intense hurt in his eyes, and said. "I'm fed
up with people looking at me like some sort of scum bag low life and
tagging me with the term 'homeless.'

They have no idea what has happened with me-and if they did well,
they might just back up a bit.

But they don't ask, they just judge. Well, dammit I am not 'homeless.'

I have a home and it is called Kelowna. I have lived here all my
life and only lately have I been out on the street.

I am not homeless, I just don't have a house."

Gladys and Kelly need your help.

Gladys and Kelly were best of friends for 10 years but on Sunday my
friend and former neighbour, Gladys Lange, passed away.

My wife Sharon and I will miss her dearly-as will her family members
scattered across the continent.

Until yesterday, it looked like Kelly was headed for heaven as well,
but the kindness and caring of a couple key people have saved Kelly
from the needle.

The local SPCA is in quarantine (or was at the time of writing)
therefore all dog care has been in the able but busy hands of our
regional dog pound.

With no family member able to take Kelly her time was very limited.
I put out an SOS and the response was tremendous.

Thankfully Brenda McBurnie, of Doggytopia, came to the rescue and is
providing temporary foster care for Kelly until she can find a good home.

Kelly is a healthy, spayed female of 10 years who seems to get along
well with dogs and cats and kids.

She just needs some love. If you can help - please call Brenda at 712-0899.

Brenda is also fostering a lovely, super friendly, spayed, German
Short Hair Pointer who is in need of a good home.

My thanks also to the aid of Colleen Dickson, of Canine Connections,
Dave Porteous, Jenice Lawrence, Helena Pol, Pat and my friend Shayne
for answering all the phone calls.

I'm glad to hear that Helena the Cougar of Kelowna origin will be
guaranteed a life sentence in custody. I'm not thrilled, just glad.

I would be thrilled if the young cougar was allowed to be set free,
as it should be, back in the Region 8 area of B.C. somewhere near
Okanagan Mountain Park from whence it was taken.

It's a bunch of malarkey that Helena is a threat to humans, despite
what reps of the provincial government keep feeding the public.

Regardless, I am pleased that local residents helped raise the
$22,000 for caging to house the cat in Smithers.

Without the fencing Helena would have been killed.

Thank you for caring, folks.