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Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users

Consequences of Drug Prohibition

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
Addiction Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Date: 
2004-11
Pages: 
6
Summary: 
Paper that reviews the negative consequences of Canada's drug policy, which is primarily one of policing and enforcement rather than treatment and harm reduction. The author argues that Canada takes a "war on drugs" approach that this is ineffective and has negative social consequences. In point-form, the author lists a number of negative social, individual, political, health, family and economic consequences of the "war on drugs" in Canada.
Keywords: 
Canada; police; drugs; addiction; drug use; harm reduction; economic policy; economy; war on drugs; crime; government policy; access to treatment

Creative Resistance - Principles of Post Prohibition Drug Control

Publication type: 
Position Paper
Agency: 
Creative Resistance Against Drug Prohibition
Date: 
2005-09
Pages: 
2
Summary: 
Document declaring that the prohibition of controlled substances, embodied in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, has utterly failed in achieving its objectives, and has proved counter-productive in its side-effects. The document sets out an alternative set of principles that should inform a future post-prohibition paradigm and policy framework in Canada. It is based on harm reduction, human rights, and public health models, recognizes the positive personal and social dimensions of some drug use, advocates (moderate) drug market regulation and taxation by the government, and the re-injection of revenues into health and social programs for users.
Keywords: 
prohibition; harm reduction; government policy; drug use; addiction; services; action plan; constitution; war on drugs; legalization

Drug Policy Reform Reading List

Publication type: 
Annotated Bibliography
Agency: 
Addiction Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Date: 
2006-11
Pages: 
1
Summary: 
Annotated bibliography of reading resources about drug policy in Canada and globally. Focus is on the "war on drugs", social and health effects of criminalization, and alternative public health and harm reduction policy models.
Keywords: 
drug policy; Canada; war on drugs; harm reduction; government policy; legalization; criminalization; resources; annotated bibliography

Economic Fact Sheet: Facts and Figures Relating to Illegal Drugs

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
Addiction Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Date: 
2006-04-26
Pages: 
6
Summary: 
Set of facts and figures taken from various sources, about the costs associated with drug use in Canada and BC. The author reviews Canadian expenditures on police and the legal system, projected expenditures on HIV treatment and other health care for those who use drugs, and the costs of crime associated with the criminalization of drugs. He compares these figures with the estimated (much lower) costs of providing better treatment and harm reduction services for drug users. He contrasts the current expenditures on policing with the potential revenues that could be gained if drugs like cannabis were decriminalized, regulated and taxed by the government.
Keywords: 
Canada; police; drug use; harm reduction; government policy; economy; war on drugs; crime; British Columbia; access to treatment; drugs; addiction

GVRD Aboriginal Homelessness Study 2003

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
Lu'ma Native Housing Society Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee
Sponsor: 
Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC)
Date: 
2003
Pages: 
207
Summary: 
The report is an update to the 2001 Aboriginal Homelessness Plan, through a community planning process conducted June to August 2003. The report identifies the needs of Aboriginal homeless people in the GVRD; outlines service and program assets, gaps, priorities, and action strategies; and provides recommendations for the ongoing work to prevent and alleviate Aboriginal homelessness. The findings are based on interviews and consultations with homeless Aboriginal people, service providers and steering committee members. Appendices include interview guides used during the consultation.
Keywords: 
Lu'ma Native Housing Society; Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee (AHSC); Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD); housing; action plan; Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI); community-capacity building; housing services; government policy; community consultations

hepc.bull - Canada's Hepatitis C News Bulletin (January 2002)

Publication type: 
Newsletter
Agency: 
Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Society (HepCBC)
Series: 
Issue No. 41 January 2002
Date: 
2002
Pages: 
8
Summary: 
Newsletter providing information on the latest research with regard to transmission and treatment of Hepatitis C. It describes new medicines, vitamins and herbal therapies being used and/or undergoing research. It includes letters to the editor, and announcements about upcoming conferences, meetings, and events occurring in BC and Yukon and in other provinces.
Keywords: 
alternative therapies; British Columbia; complementary therapies; Canada; HCV; Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Society (HepCBC); Hepatitis C; Hep C; health care; medicine; newsletter; treatment; Yukon

B.C. Anti-Prohibition League Newsletter (February 2001)

Publication type: 
Newsletter
Agency: 
B.C. Anti-Prohibition League (BCAPL)
Series: 
Number 31
Date: 
2001
Pages: 
10
Summary: 
A newsletter produced by the B.C. Anti-Prohibition League providing information about issues, developments, and studies related to the prohibition of controlled drugs and substances in the context of British Columbia.
Keywords: 
British Columbia; B.C. Anti-Prohibition League (BCAPL); drugs; drug laws; drug legalization; drug reform; newsletter; substance use

Cell Count #30, Summer: Prisoners' Justice Day

Publication type: 
Newsletter
Agency: 
Prisoners' HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN)
Series: 
#30, Summer 2003
Date: 
2003
Pages: 
16
Summary: 
Summer 2003 edition of the Prisoners' HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN) quarterly newsletter, written and edited primarily by prisoners and ex-prisoners. The newsletter contains information about PASAN, a Canadian community-based network and organization, formed in 1991, that provides education, support and advocacy to prisoners and their families on HIV/AIDS and related issues. Articles include: upcoming events for August 10th Prisoners' Justice Day; the counter productiveness and unfairness of punitive "behaviour modification" techniques in the prison system; concerns about the Youth Criminal Justice Act; and needle exchange programs in Federal prisons. The newsletter also contains letters and poetry written by contributors; safer drug use practice advice; personal ads; and a list of HIV/AIDS resources.
Keywords: 
Prisoners' HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN); prison; prisoners; HIV/AIDS; AIDS; HIV; community-based organizations; advocacy groups; Canada;

Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy Association of Greater Vancouver (ARA) pamphlet

Publication type: 
Brochure / Leaflet / Pamphlet / Information Sheet
Agency: 
Mental Health Action, Research and Advocacy Association of Greater Vancouver (ARA)
Sponsor: 
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Pages: 
2
Summary: 
A pamphlet describing the services and mandate of the Mental Health Action, Research and Advocacy Association of Greater Vancouver (ARA).
Keywords: 
advocacy; mental health; mental illness; mental health services; Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy Association of Greater Vancouver (ARA); pamphlet; Vancouver

Disclosure of HIV Status After Cuerrier: Resources for Community Based AIDS Organizations

Publication type: 
Training / Education Manual
Sponsor: 
Health Canada
Date: 
2004
Pages: 
124
Summary: 
A resource guide that provides information about legal issues related to HIV status following the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the Cuerrier case. The document is organized in sections including: how to use the guide; a review of human rights principles; analysis of the Criminal Code and specific Supreme Court of Canada decisions; how the criminal law applies to people living with HIV/AIDS; a list of public health laws for each of the provinces and territories; standards and approaches for counselling people living with HIV/AIDS; client confidentiality and record keeping; and civil liability issues related to both people living with HIV/AIDS and community AIDS organizations.
Keywords: 
advocacy; AIDS; Canadian AIDS Society; community based AIDS organizations; Cuerrier; HIV/AIDS; human rights; legal issues

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