Pubdate: Fri, 13 May 2005
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth, Staff reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

FHA READY TO DEFEND HARM-REDUCTION PLAN

When some of Gemini Services' 150 clients heard the city was about to
outlaw methadone clinics, they panicked. They feared the methadone
clinic in downtown Abbotsford would close.

"The people I talked to were absolutely terrified. They said, 'Where
are we going to go, how will we make it?'" said Tony Baker, who runs
clinics in Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

Gemini Services can stay, but other harm-reduction facilities may be
barred from Abbotsford if city council approves a zoning change. This
will be the focus of a public hearing 7 p.m. Monday at city hall.

Council members want to block safe injection, needle exchanges,
methadone clinics, mobile addiction services and medical marijuana.

Abbotsford Mayor Mary Reeves wants money to go instead to treatment,
recently calling harm reduction "a social services job creation program."

FHA addiction services manager Sherry Mumford welcomes a meeting with
city council, but said the FHA won't "compromise on a philosophy that
is proven worldwide - we will defend that."

"I think it's Fraser Health's responsibility to educate individuals on
what a harm reduction format or philosophy means in the health-care
system," she said.

In practise, health care already operates under a harm reduction
philosophy - the FHA is finalizing its harm reduction policy and
requires service providers to follow a "bio-psychosocial-spiritual
model . . . and provide services consistent with a harm reduction framework."

A safe injection site isn't likely, but Mumford supported methadone
clinics and needle dispensaries as being "absolutely essential
services in a continuum of care."

"Clinics like [Gemini] are invaluable. They offer people hope. We
certainly get a lot of clients into our treatment programs that way,"
she said.

"It's a gateway to treatment. It's an entry point and a lot of clinics
are designed to bring people into the fold, if you like," Baker said.

The Youth Resource Centre's Lori Dennis said harm reduction includes
the agency's new mentorship program that will help about 50 of the
area's youth working in the sex trade or are at risk.

"This is a harm reduction measure, in that its purpose is to prevent
further sexual exploitation of youth," she said. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)