Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2007 Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007, West Partners Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) FOUR PILLARS MOVES FORWARD The chairman of the Regional District of Central Okanagan announced this week the appointment of Christene Walsh as its drug policy coordinator. The creation of the position was one of the key recommendations of the Four Pillars Coalition. Walsh will assist with implementing the recommendations in the 2005 report, Central Okanagan Framework for Action: A Four Pillar Approach to Problematic Drug Use and Related Issues in the Central Okanagan. "Christene Walsh brings a solid academic background to the drug policy coordinator position," said CORD chariman Robert Hobson. Walsh has a master of social work degree with a specialization in communities, management and social policy as well bachelor degrees in social work and sociology/criminology, and a diploma in regulatory law. Walsh has previously worked with the ministry for children and family development, serving Chilcotin and Shuswap First Nations; the chemical dependency program at Kelowna General Hospital; and the pain/symptom management team/palliative care program with the B.C. Cancer Agency. She has also worked as a concurrent disorders consultant focusing on addiction and mental health with the Interior Health Authority and most recently, with mental health emergency services. "Christene is a resident of Kelowna, and has the knowledge, skills, experience and interest necessary to meet the expectations of this challenging role," said Hobson. In 2005 the Four Pillars Coalition Framework for Action recommended 28 areas of action in an attempt to deal with the impact of drugs and substance abuse in the Central Okanagan. One of those recommendations was that a regional drug policy coordinator would be hired to liaise with local agencies providing enforcement, education, harm reduction, prevention and treatment services. Walsh is also expected to help develop ideas for new programs, provide new channels of communication and assist in identifying possible funding sources. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath