600K DONATED TO HARM REDUCTION: SULLIVAN

Mayor Sam Sullivan says another donor has come forward offering to
fund a drug harm reduction program in the city.

Sullivan said a "non-local" donor has offered $100,000. It's in
addition to previous offerings of more than $500,000, which the mayor
revealed last month amidst some controversy. He had announced he
would risk his political career to promote a program that would
provide drugs for addicted prostitutes.

"I was worried the media attention might have dissuaded him but [the
donor] is still committed," Sullivan said in a recent interview.

Opposition city councillors have accused Sullivan of being reckless
with his drug policies, challenging the mayor to put his drug plans
in writing. But Sullivan said he's merely advocating for a plan.

"I'm trying to move forward on issues that have been scientifically
proven to reduce crime and public disorder," he said.

Either way, the more than $600,000 the mayor has now been offered for
harm-reduction programs may be more symbolic than substantive.

"These types of programs are expensive," said Donald MacPherson, the
city's drug policy coordinator. "It's a good start, but you want to
think of sustainability when you're designing programs."

Meanwhile, the RCMP announced yesterday there will be no criminal
charges against Sullivan after he admitted to giving money for drugs
to an addicted friend. Vancouver's police chief had requested the
RCMP investigation after Sullivan took office last fall.