Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2006
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2006, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Petti Fong
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

LOOKING TO EUROPE FOR ANSWERS ON CRIME

Mayor To Visit For Data On Sex Trade, Drugs

VANCOUVER -- Mayor Sam Sullivan said yesterday he will travel to 
Europe on a fact-finding mission to see how major urban centres are 
dealing with the sex trade, drug addiction and crime.

He said he will invite politicians from other levels of government to 
join him, with an itinerary that will include visits to Finland, 
Germany and the Netherlands -- all countries where urban centres have 
devised innovative ways to tackle problems of crime and addiction.

"It's very important for us to know there are other jurisdictions 
that have experienced very dramatic reductions in crime and disorder 
as a result of innovative approaches to drug addiction," the mayor said.

His announcement comes as a government-funded coalition of 
businesses, sex-trade workers and neighbourhood associations studies 
prostitution in the city. Among the contentious issues they are 
considering: introducing safe zones for sex-trade workers and zones 
that are off-limits, such as playgrounds and schoolyards.

Mr. Sullivan said he has some reservations about safe zones and would 
prefer the city fund programs to help people get out of the sex trade.

The coalition, called Living in Community, will hold open discussions 
beginning next month to discuss issues associated with the commercial 
sex industry.

The coalition wants to take a pragmatic approach, said member Lisa 
Gibson, and will look at ideas on prevention, education and exit 
strategies for sex-trade workers who want to leave the profession.

She likened the approach to the four-pillars model the city used to 
deal with drug addiction in the Downtown Eastside -- prevention, 
treatment, harm reduction and enforcement.

"It's not a promotion for sex workers," Ms. Gibson said. "We 
recognize some people come from different perspectives. Some people 
think that sex workers is a valid occupation and some people think 
it's never okay. We're not prescribing one value base for people . . ."

She said that the issue is safety, both for the sex-trade workers and 
the businesses in areas where prostitution is taking place.

Ms. Gibson explained that safe zones are not red-light districts, but 
designated areas where sex-trade workers can rest, use restroom 
facilities or just stay for short periods without being harassed.

Councillor Raymond Louie said getting some sort of consensus is crucial.

"Like the four-pillar approach with the harm reduction for people who 
are drug-addicted, we also need to do some harm reduction for the 
businesses in the areas as well," he said. "We didn't hear about how 
to address the business aspect, so I hope that will come out."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman