Pubdate: Sat, 30 Dec 2000
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: The Vancouver Sun 2000
Contact:  200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3
Fax: (604) 605-2323
Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/
Page: B3
Author: Lindsay Kines
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1936/a01.html

DRUG ADDICT WHO TOLD HER TALE IN BID TO AID OTHERS FOUND DEAD

In life, April Reoch hoped her tragic story of drug addiction would
serve as a cautionary tale for young people.

Her death, earlier this week, at age 25, only underlined that
message.

Now, the Vancouver city police officers who captured Reoch's story on
film plan to honour the contribution she made to keeping others off
the streets.

"It's the right thing to do," said Constable Al Arsenault, part of a
team of officers known as the Odd Squad that made the National Film
Board documentary, Through a Blue Lens.  The film followed the lives
of Reoch and others as they battled drug addiction on Vancouver's
Downtown Eastside.

The police officers are helping organize a memorial service slated for
2 p.m. Monday at First United Church.  The Vancouver police ceremonial
marching unit will parade from 100 East Hastings to the church in
Reoch's honour.

"I think her body was disrespected at the end and we want a fitting
tribute to a tragic life," Arsenault said.

Reoch was found dead 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day by a janitor at the
social housing complex where she lived on East Hastings.  Her body had
been placed in a fabric bag and left in a garbage area at the rear of
the building in a common area accessible only to residents of the building.

The cause and time of death has not been determined but police are
treating it as suspicious, and investigators are awaiting the results
of toxicology tests on the body.

Reoch leaves an 11-year-old son, Daniel, and police officers are
setting up a trust fund for him at VanCity Credit Union.  Donations
can be made at any branch.

Arsenault said Reoch had recently relapsed after one of several failed
bids to kick her habit at a recovery house.

"I was kind of hopeful that she would be able to recover, but it's
such a difficult process," he said.  "Slipping into drug use is so
easy and getting out is so difficult."

He first met Reoch seven years ago when the beautiful, red-headed
teenager first arrived on the city streets.  Arsenault took her
picture and warned her of the risky life that lay ahead of her.

"I laid out what was going to happen to her in very coarse terms,"
Arsenault said.

Six months later, they met again.  Sadly, all of Arsenault's
predictions had come to pass.  By then, Reoch was addicted to drugs
and working as a prostitute.

In the picture that Arsenault took this time, the young woman's face
was covered with scabs.

"When I showed these slides to school kids, it really jarred them,"
Arsenault said.  "Essentially, she became our poster girl for drug
abuse.

"She wanted her story told as a warning to others."

Reoch also participated in Flipping The World, a 30-minute educational
version of the original documentary slated to air on CBC's The
Passionate Eye on Feb.5.

The Odd Squad also plans to do a follow-up film, checking on the
progress of the documentary subjects five years later.  Arsenault said
the project will be dedicated to Reoch's memory.

"She provided a great service...to the community in attempting to
educate youth, about the perils of drug abuse," he said.  "Her legacy
will live on to fight a battle that she ultimately lost."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake