HARM REDUCTION PROVEN HELPFUL TO COMMUNITIES

Harm reduction sites and the distribution of crack kits have been a
hot topic in Nanaimo since the health authority rolled out a pilot
project without consultation in 2007.

That project was cancelled due to public outrage and concerns that
neither city council nor residents were made aware of it.

This fall, the Vancouver Island Health Authority planned to roll out
10 secondary harm reduction sites across the Island and met with
Nanaimo city council earlier this year.

There are three in the mid-Island area, but VIHA isn't revealing
exactly where those sites are or when they're open.

"This is something new to staff and we are trying to give the staff
some breathing room before it becomes known to the world," said
Suzanne Germain, VIHA spokeswoman.

Germain said the secondary sites are low-volume and harm reduction
isn't the primary purpose of the organizations providing the service.
They aren't fixed needle exchanges, but places where clients can ask
for supplies if they need them.

Meanwhile, NARSF has operated the Harris House Health Clinic, a
primary harm reduction site, for nearly two years.

Harris House also met with opposition when it moved to Franklyn
Street, but it engaged in a consultation process with the
neighbourhood to resolve issues.

"People thought we were going to be more troublesome, but it didn't
materialize to the extent people thought it would occur," said Gordon
Cote, director of NARSF programs. "We took a proactive approach to
things to stay on top of issues."

The clinic is contracted by VIHA to deliver services and provides
crack smoking supplies, a needle exchange, testing and treatment for
sexually transmitted infections, vaccinations, education and referral
to community support. It offers services three days a week.

Cote said regardless of the moral issues around drug use, providing
these materials and services is key to preventing disease.

"It is making a difference. Some [clients] are safer despite using
drugs harmful to them," he said "For others, connecting to support
services has made a real difference in their lives."

Harm reduction principles, practices discussed at symposium

To promote more understanding about the benefits of harm reduction and
how to participate in open dialogues about the subject, NARSF is
hosting a Harm Reduction Symposium Dec. 6 at the Coast Bastion Inn.

The symposium aims to exchange ideas about how to include harm
reduction strategies into services and public policy, increase
acceptance and understanding of people with addictions and mental
health issues and discuss how these practices can be created on
Vancouver Island.

Gordon Cote, director of NARSF programs, said members are excited to
be able to contribute to the discussion with this symposium.

The symposium's keynote speaker has changed.

Benedickt Fisher was unable to attend and is being replaced by Walter
Cavalieri, founder of the Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force and the
Canadian Harm Reduction Network.

For more than 20 years, Cavalieri has worked on harm reduction
programs and has worked with the University of Toronto's HIV/AIDS
research team to conduct research and create peer delivered street-
based mental health outreach programs.

"He's really community-minded and very positive and upbeat about how
harm reduction can improve the lives of people," said Cote.

The symposium also includes several lectures and discussions on topics
such as harm reduction from the inside out, a public health approach
to illegal drugs, providing culturally safe harm reduction for
Aboriginal people and more.

Cote said the symposium is almost sold out with more than 200 people
registered and maximum capacity of 225.

Registration for the symposium is $75 and people must register before
Friday (Dec. 3) at http://narsf.proreg.ca.