Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jun 2006
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Louise Dickson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

CONFERENCE EXAMINES DRUG USE AS PART OF HUMAN CONDITION

The public is invited to take part in a one-day conference on 
substance use and drug policy in Greater Victoria.

The conference, organized by a coalition of citizens called Voices of 
Substance, begins Friday at 9 a.m. at the Ambrosia Centre, 638 Fisgard St.

"We're looking for alternatives to the war on drugs," said coalition 
member Connie Carter. "That's an American approach and it has its 
problems. In essence, we believe that if we want to reduce the harm 
of substance use, everybody has to be part of the solution -- the 
community, the service providers, police, government and the people 
who use substances."

Voices of Substance embraces the notion that substance use is part of 
the human condition, said Carter. The group also believes that drug 
laws and policies have to be based on sound evidence and 
public-health principles. The group wants to increase public 
understanding of the complexity of substance use and abuse.

The conference will begin with a day-in-the-life presentation by 
longtime heroin addict Andy Snitzer, followed by four panel discussions.

Dr. Perry Kendall, provincial health officer, will be the keynote 
speaker at the first session on health and well-being. Nancy Poole, a 
gender- and substance-abuse researcher at the B.C. Centre for 
Excellence in Women's Health, Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical 
health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and 
community activist and former drug user Steve McDougall will sit on 
Kendall's panel.

A session on public safety and order will be led by retired Seattle 
police chief Norm Stamper. He will be joined by Victoria Police Chief 
Paul Battershill, Snitzer, and Dr. Thomas Kerr, principal 
investigator of the Insite supervised injection site in Vancouver.

Robin Adair, chairman of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, 
will discuss the economic impact of substance abuse and drug policy 
and how it affects individuals, the community, the system and the 
taxpayer. His panellists include Donald MacPherson, Vancouver's drug 
policy co-ordinator, Jody Paterson, executive director for PEERS, and 
Ike de Jong, a member of the Rock Bay Business Association.

A session examining human rights and social justice will be led by 
Lauren Casey from the Canadian National Coalition of Experiential 
Women. Contributing to her discussion will be Judge Ernie Quantz, 
Rev. Al Tysick and addictions counsellor Bill Nelles, a long-term 
methadone user.

After each session, the audience will have an opportunity for discussion.

"At the end of the day, we want to have priorities for action," said Carter.

Space is limited. To register for the event, call Shannon at 361-0505.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman