HTTP/1.0 200 OK
Content-Type: text/html
AIDS Advocates Draft Strategy For Drug Users
Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jun 2012
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Sarah McGinnis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
AIDS ADVOCATES DRAFT STRATEGY FOR DRUG USERS
Controversial programs such as supervised injection sites or handing
out clean crack-pipe kits must be part of the discussion as Calgary
drafts its community addictions strategy, according to local AIDS advocates.
But one Calgary alderman wants to see proof these programs will
benefit society more than prevention initiatives before he's willing
to even consider the city embracing them.
Moving past the criminalization of drug users and viewing addiction
as a health issue was one of the main themes of the AIDS Calgary
Awareness Association's general meeting on Thursday.
"One clean needle costs 11 cents. One stem, the key part of safer
inhalation (of cocaine), is 34 cents. We know that treating one HIV
infection costs $1.3 million," said Jennifer Vanderschaeghe,
executive director of the Central Alberta AIDS Network Society, who
attended the gathering. "I would say, we're actually saving money for
the healthcare system. It's also the right and moral thing to do," she said.
The controversies around monitored injection sites, methadone clinics
or clean crack pipe kits grab headlines and polarize communities.
But the AIDS Calgary Awareness Association is hoping the city will be
open to a variety of approaches to helping drug users as staff draft
their community addictions strategy.
"It's not either abstinence or harm reduction programs. It's about
people who are experiencing a medical problem, which is what
addiction is," said Susan Cress, interim executive director for the
AIDS Calgary Awareness Association.
Sometimes the best medical intervention for drug users is providing a
12-step treatment program to get people clean. But other times it can
be repeated contact with an outreach worker who is providing safer
injection or drug use supplies to help decrease overdoses and
minimize the spread of disease before someone is ready to seek
treatment, Cress said.
"We recognize that prevention works. We recognize that treatment
works. But there is a time after prevention has failed, and before
treatment has started, where people are using and deserve to have
respectful health care," Vanderschaeghe said. Calgary has tried its
hand at "harm reduction" strategies before.
Alberta Health Services handed out 14,500 clean crack pipe kits as
part of its Safeworks program over three years.
Public criticism and legal concerns led to the program's closure last summer.
The push for more "harm reduction" initiatives comes as the city is
creating Calgary's Community Addictions Strategy.
According to a June 2010 draft report for the strategy, the Calgary
drug treatment court estimates each addict costs the system between
$500,000 and $800,000 per year.
"As a major metropolitan centre and the largest city in Alberta, the
extent and complexity of addictions related issues in Calgary must be
addressed strategically and in a responsive manner," the report said.
So far, the strategy has formed three working groups - education and
prevention, healing and recovery, and community safety and
enforcement - and is focused on bringing community agencies and other
stakeholders together to determine how we can better address
addictions in the city, said Robert Wiles, issue strategist with
animal and bylaw services, who is helping oversee the program.
Ald. Shane Keating supports the concept of the addictions strategy,
but he isn't ready to sign on to safe injection sites just yet.
Keating wants agencies to show him research and clinical proof such
programs are a benefit to society before he's ready to consider
including them in any city plan.
"I'm willing to admit it's a sickness and a disease for people,
without question," Keating said. But he is also concerned about the
city being party to anything that aids further illegal drug use,
especially given limited resources available to address drug use
within the community.
"I am all in favour of preventive medicine through education far more
than I am in saying here's a group of individuals that need help, but
won't accept help, so let's make it easier for them or more safe for
them. All the money put into giving them the safe stuff, I would much
sooner see put into education and preventive medicine," Keating said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom