WE TURN OUR BACKS ON THOSE WHO NEED HELP

I am appalled at how our community members will turn their heads and hearts
at other community members who need help. There is an organization in
Vancouver that recognized the lack of services for prostitutes and drug
users and did something about it, because the people who run this
organization do care for the people in their community.

Prostitution Alternatives Counselling Education, run by former prostitutes,
opened March 10, 1994. PACE has been building live-in housing, and
providing a caring, non-judgmental environment, as well as a health network
(PHN) for former prostitutes and drug users in their community.

They also provide outreach/crisis intervention, support, advocacy,
education, job training, prevention and research services to help these
individuals live a safe and healthy new lifestyle.

Abbotsford could use a programme like this. Without pushing our prostitutes
and drug users to the edge of town, there are many opportunities in the
community to start a project like PACE. To cut costs, give University
College of the Fraser Valley students the opportunity to be involved in the
program through employment, volunteer hours, or practicum experience. This
could count toward credits for UCFV programs in social services, substance
abuse, nursing, child and youth care, or other human service related
programs. I know I would be interested.

It's not just about the safety of those who are already safe; its also
about the safety of drug users and prostitutes, to keep them away from
pimps, drugs and beatings. The problem of prostitution and drug use in the
community will make a positive turn around when the politicians and people
come together to fix the problem at hand. It's time for people to stop the
ridicule, judgment, and narrow-mindedness.

For the majority of the community who read and believe in the Bible, they
need to be reminded that it does not matter if these women are sinners in
your eyes, all are loved in the eyes of God.

These women need the community and the community needs them. Without each
other we are not complete.

Darla Rasmussen, Abbotsford