Pubdate: Wed, 16 May 2012
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: Dave Diewert
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n270/a08.html

VANDU SERVES IMPOVERISHED POPULATION

To the editor:

Re: " Vancouver city hall coddles, protects poisonous pro-dope lobby," May 9.

Mark Hasiuk's last column was a toxic, hateful piece of journalism. 
Under the civil and legal argument that the Vancouver Area Network of 
Drug Users is not playing by the rules (apparently it operates 
without a permit), he feels completely justified to demonize and 
vilify the people and work of VANDU.

Maybe Mr. Hasiuk is perturbed to see active drug users care for one 
another by creating a welcoming space for education, support and 
political organizing in the midst of tremendous public hostility. Or 
perhaps he is troubled to see drug users, whom he and others clearly 
hold in utter contempt, take action against the structures of 
oppression and death inscribed in the legal policies and social 
consciousness of the status quo.

VANDU is a powerful social justice movement among the most despised 
and impoverished population of our city, and despite Mr. Hasiuk's 
efforts, it is not disappearing any time soon.

Dave Diewert,

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom