Pubdate: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 The Lethbridge Herald Contact: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239 Author: Stacy O'Brien Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) HARM REDUCTION CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON RISKY BEHAVIOUR A conference targeted at both those who undertake risky behaviour like sex trade work, use drugs or live on the street and those who provide services to them is set to come to Lethbridge for the first time. The seventh annual Alberta Harm Reduction Conference, running Feb. 14-15 at the Lethbridge Lodge, is expected to attract some 250 people from Alberta and British Columbia and is being hosted by the Lethbridge HIV Connection and the Provincial Non-Prescription Needle Use Consortium. The conference will look at topics ranging from how to improve homeless people's health and risky behaviours among non-injection crack-cocaine smokers to looking at methodone maintenance and the war on drugs in Canada. Helene Wirzba, the executive director of the Lethbridge HIV Connection, says harm reduction can be defined as any activity that reduces the risk of a potentially dangerous activity. In the case of driving, a seat belt is an example of harm reduction measure. "This conference is going to focus more on activities that put people at risk of HIV and hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections. So mainly intravenous drug use and the sex trade work," Wirzba says. "Harm reduction is about reducing the risk that people take but also meeting people in a non-judgmental way, where they are right now, and working with them and offering them small steps that they can take to make the risks smaller for them and others." Wirzba describes the conference, which is being held for the first time in Lethbridge, as a mix of new trends, science and passion. "If you do that kind of work you need to have passion, not just do it because it's your profession," says Wirzba. "When you talk about addictions you talk about ups and downs. So we need to have passion in order to do our job." Wirzba says the conference offers an opportunity for both service providers and those who use the services to network with each other. Cost is $150 to attend both days or $65 for students. For more information go to www.albertaharmreduction.ca. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman