DRUG USERS CRAFT OWN SOLUTIONS

Methadone Clinic Outreach Worker Garth Perry (Right) Offers Assistance And
Clean Needles To "Emile" In An Encounter Behind A Local Hotel

Victoria residents who might not otherwise be exposed to the everyday world
of drug addicts been flocked to see what it looks like on Vancouver's
Downtown East Side.

However, the real work in helping treat people addicted to heroin, cocaine
and other injectable drugs will continue long after the documentary film
Fix: The Story of an Addicted City ends its successful run at Victoria
theatres, says a local street outreach worker.

"Victoria, as a whole, has got to recoil from this whole film thing being
here and get back to what's going on (here)," says Garth Perry, a
recovering heroin addict who is based at the Outreach Services and
methadone clinic at 2004 Fernwood Rd.

He says that because of the success of the film, Victoria residents
currently have a heightened awareness of the problems faced by addicted
intravenous drug users.

What people have to remember, he says, is that after the extensive media
coverage and hoopla surrounding the movie fades, people's commitment to
helping those in need will be critically tested.

Having been on methadone himself for the last couple of years and seen many
addicts get back to leading safer, more stable and healthy lives after
getting on the program, Perry is taking his dedication to users a step further.

Last week he joined forces with Dean Wilson, the president of VANDU (the
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users) and subject of the film, to set the
wheels in motion to form a user's advocacy group for Victoria.

Perry expects to take on the role of facilitating discussions between the
users and a group of outreach workers and service providers who have formed
the Harm Reduction Coalition.

At the initial meeting last Thursday, close to 20 people met to talk about
the current situation and decide how to proceed. The two groups are
expected to meet again in a few weeks to determine what the users really
want or need in Victoria.

"I think that we're all going to need to regroup in the next few weeks,"
says Perry. "This Harm Reduction Coalition is going to need to really take
a look at what's going on in the city and work together to establish some
ways to meet the needs of the users."

Wilson says despite the progress made by VANDU, he doesn't assume their
methods would automatically work in Victoria.

However, he says some key steps can be taken by the local group. Firstly, a
list needs to be made up of what the users' challenges or difficulties are.
Secondly, they need to discuss why those are issues, and thirdly, talk
about potential solutions to those issues.

Dr. Perry Kendall, the province's chief medical health officer, admitted
during a forum following a screening of Fix that the various service
providers in the Capital Region -- physicians, counselors and outreach
services -- need to cooperate and communicate better to provide a higher
level of service to addicts.

That exchange of information and improved flow of services are what the
user's group and Harm Reduction Coalition are out to facilitate.

Out on the job, Perry hauls around a large backpack labeled: Methadone
Clinic Outreach Worker. It's so people can quickly identify him, he says.
He not only offers clean needles and water packets, he collects urine
samples and personal information for people interested in the methadone
program. He also hands out pamphlets for other support programs and offers
an ear to listen if that's all people want.

During a stop in an alley behind the Douglas Hotel he is approached by an
acquaintance who calls himself "Emile", for a handful of needles.

Emile, who, at 46 still injects a crack cocaine mixture daily but says that
through detox he has kicked heroin, says he appreciates the work Perry,
Wilson and others are doing.

"We don't have enough for addicts to come out and say their piece," he says.

Emile lists among his concerns inappropriate hours for the needle exchange
- -- it doesn't open until 3:30 p.m. but addicts generally need their first
fix first thing in the morning -- and a lack of beds for junkies living on
the street.

Wilson says achieving long-term solutions will require the community at
large to show more compassion for addicts and realize that most aren't bad
people, they are just sick.

That compassion must be shown to all addicts, he says, regardless if they
live on the street or are gainfully employed and seem to have their life
together.

Wilson admits that users have a large role to play in changing people's
perception of drug addicts. "If we really want to walk the talk, we've got
to be able to be part of that community too," he says. "That doesn't mean
throwing our rigs in somebody's alley or harassing people."

That also means making a concerted effort to accept help and to make use of
the services that are available, he says. To find out more details, he
invites calls at 480-1232 or 889-1342.