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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman