Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2003
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Victoria News
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author:  Don Descoteau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

DRUG USERS CRAFT OWN SOLUTIONS

Methadone Clinic Outreach Worker Garth Perry (Right) Offers Assistance And 
Clean Needles To "Emile" In An Encounter Behind A Local Hotel

Victoria residents who might not otherwise be exposed to the everyday world 
of drug addicts been flocked to see what it looks like on Vancouver's 
Downtown East Side.

However, the real work in helping treat people addicted to heroin, cocaine 
and other injectable drugs will continue long after the documentary film 
Fix: The Story of an Addicted City ends its successful run at Victoria 
theatres, says a local street outreach worker.

"Victoria, as a whole, has got to recoil from this whole film thing being 
here and get back to what's going on (here)," says Garth Perry, a 
recovering heroin addict who is based at the Outreach Services and 
methadone clinic at 2004 Fernwood Rd.

He says that because of the success of the film, Victoria residents 
currently have a heightened awareness of the problems faced by addicted 
intravenous drug users.

What people have to remember, he says, is that after the extensive media 
coverage and hoopla surrounding the movie fades, people's commitment to 
helping those in need will be critically tested.

Having been on methadone himself for the last couple of years and seen many 
addicts get back to leading safer, more stable and healthy lives after 
getting on the program, Perry is taking his dedication to users a step further.

Last week he joined forces with Dean Wilson, the president of VANDU (the 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users) and subject of the film, to set the 
wheels in motion to form a user's advocacy group for Victoria.

Perry expects to take on the role of facilitating discussions between the 
users and a group of outreach workers and service providers who have formed 
the Harm Reduction Coalition.

At the initial meeting last Thursday, close to 20 people met to talk about 
the current situation and decide how to proceed. The two groups are 
expected to meet again in a few weeks to determine what the users really 
want or need in Victoria.

"I think that we're all going to need to regroup in the next few weeks," 
says Perry. "This Harm Reduction Coalition is going to need to really take 
a look at what's going on in the city and work together to establish some 
ways to meet the needs of the users."

Wilson says despite the progress made by VANDU, he doesn't assume their 
methods would automatically work in Victoria.

However, he says some key steps can be taken by the local group. Firstly, a 
list needs to be made up of what the users' challenges or difficulties are. 
Secondly, they need to discuss why those are issues, and thirdly, talk 
about potential solutions to those issues.

Dr. Perry Kendall, the province's chief medical health officer, admitted 
during a forum following a screening of Fix that the various service 
providers in the Capital Region -- physicians, counselors and outreach 
services -- need to cooperate and communicate better to provide a higher 
level of service to addicts.

That exchange of information and improved flow of services are what the 
user's group and Harm Reduction Coalition are out to facilitate.

Out on the job, Perry hauls around a large backpack labeled: Methadone 
Clinic Outreach Worker. It's so people can quickly identify him, he says. 
He not only offers clean needles and water packets, he collects urine 
samples and personal information for people interested in the methadone 
program. He also hands out pamphlets for other support programs and offers 
an ear to listen if that's all people want.

During a stop in an alley behind the Douglas Hotel he is approached by an 
acquaintance who calls himself "Emile", for a handful of needles.

Emile, who, at 46 still injects a crack cocaine mixture daily but says that 
through detox he has kicked heroin, says he appreciates the work Perry, 
Wilson and others are doing.

"We don't have enough for addicts to come out and say their piece," he says.

Emile lists among his concerns inappropriate hours for the needle exchange 
- -- it doesn't open until 3:30 p.m. but addicts generally need their first 
fix first thing in the morning -- and a lack of beds for junkies living on 
the street.

Wilson says achieving long-term solutions will require the community at 
large to show more compassion for addicts and realize that most aren't bad 
people, they are just sick.

That compassion must be shown to all addicts, he says, regardless if they 
live on the street or are gainfully employed and seem to have their life 
together.

Wilson admits that users have a large role to play in changing people's 
perception of drug addicts. "If we really want to walk the talk, we've got 
to be able to be part of that community too," he says. "That doesn't mean 
throwing our rigs in somebody's alley or harassing people."

That also means making a concerted effort to accept help and to make use of 
the services that are available, he says. To find out more details, he 
invites calls at 480-1232 or 889-1342.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager