Pubdate: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Robert Barron Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) FORUM WILL ADDRESS CITY'S ADDICTION PROBLEMS Vancouver Island University nursing students will host a public forum about reducing the harm caused by addictions and offering information about addiction treatment services. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Manson said guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds will discuss addictions and harm reduction "from a multidisciplinary approach." The public will be invited to ask questions and provide input. Manson said VIU's nursing students want to "stir the debate" around addictions and their consequences at the forum, which will feature Sandy McLean, a nurse who specializes in addictions, Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog and John Horn, Nanaimo's social planner. "This is an important issue for nurses because we're on the front lines dealing with these issues everyday," Manson said. "A lot of people would rather not have any harm reduction initiatives in place and advocate a policy of complete abstinence but it has been proven time again that this just doesn't work. Improving addicts' access to resources and services in the Nanaimo area is vital." According to a five-year snapshot of substance abuse by the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of B.C., released in November, thousands of British Columbians are literally drinking, drugging and smoking themselves to death, The report estimated that, between 2002 and 2006 in B.C, there were 4,431 deaths caused by alcohol, 1,814 caused by illicit drugs and 22,972 by tobacco. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, March 19 at VIU, building 180, room 134. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom