FORUM WILL ADDRESS CITY'S ADDICTION PROBLEMS

Vancouver Island University nursing students will host a public forum
about reducing the harm caused by addictions and offering information
about addiction treatment services.

Spokeswoman Elizabeth Manson said guest speakers from a variety of
backgrounds will discuss addictions and harm reduction "from a
multidisciplinary approach."

The public will be invited to ask questions and provide input.

Manson said VIU's nursing students want to "stir the debate" around
addictions and their consequences at the forum, which will feature
Sandy McLean, a nurse who specializes in addictions, Nanaimo MLA
Leonard Krog and John Horn, Nanaimo's social planner.

"This is an important issue for nurses because we're on the front
lines dealing with these issues everyday," Manson said.

"A lot of people would rather not have any harm reduction initiatives
in place and advocate a policy of complete abstinence but it has been
proven time again that this just doesn't work. Improving addicts'
access to resources and services in the Nanaimo area is vital."

According to a five-year snapshot of substance abuse by the
University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of B.C.,
released in November, thousands of British Columbians are literally
drinking, drugging and smoking themselves to death, The report
estimated that, between 2002 and 2006 in B.C, there were 4,431 deaths
caused by alcohol, 1,814 caused by illicit drugs and 22,972 by tobacco.

The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, March 19 at VIU,
building 180, room 134.