Pubdate: Sat, 24 Mar 2007
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

FOUR PILLARS CREATOR HONOURED

VANCOUVER - Vancouver's drug policy coordinator has been named the 
winner of a national award recognizing those who promote physical and 
mental health by reducing harm from substance abuse.

The City of Vancouver announced on Friday that Donald MacPherson has 
won the 2007 Kaiser Foundation Award for Excellence, which will be 
presented in Toronto on April 16.

MacPherson wrote the policy document called A Framework for Action; A 
Four-Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver, which was adopted 
in 2001 and launched as Canada's first comprehensive municipal drug 
policy initiative.

In Friday's news release, MacPherson said he was pleased to have won 
the award because it highlights the support Vancouverites have 
displayed for harm reduction.

"In Vancouver, there is remarkably broad-based support for innovative 
harm reduction initiatives," he said.

"My hope is that by focusing attention on Vancouver's support for 
evidence-based harm reduction measures, this award will spark other 
cities' interest in a four-pillar approach to drug problems."

Winners of the award receive a $10,000 grant to be directed to a 
charity of their choice.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman