WINE FOR DRUNKS PROPOSED

Vancouver should explore a harm-reduction plan that could see red wine
given to hard-core street alcoholics, says the city's drug policy
coordinator.

Such a program would target homeless alcoholics who may now be
drinking extremely harmful substances such as after-shave or Lysol to
feed their addictions.

"It's stabilizing the drug use," drug policy coordinator Donald
MacPherson said. The benefits of the program would be a reduction in
emergency room attendance and less contact with police.

But he adds, "How big the need is in Vancouver still needs to be
determined."

Anne Livingstone of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users says an
alcohol-replacement program is logical.

"It brings dignity to people who aren't going to stop drinking,"
Livingstone said.

The program would be similar, in theory, to heroin-assisted treatment
programs, such as the controversial NAOMI heroin program that's now
taking place on a small scale in Vancouver. MacPherson also says that
program should be expanded.

He has been integral to the city's implementation of the Four Pillars
drug policy, which has received much attention for harm-reduction
measures such as the supervised heroin-injection site.

Now he's asking council to permanently approve funding for the city's
drug policy program.

MacPherson acknowledges there have been critics, who say not enough
attention has been paid to the components other than harm reduction.

"I'd have to agree if they're talking about prevention," MacPherson
said. "It's probably not had the same amount of focus that enforcement
and harm reduction have had."