Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users

This paper is a substantial revision of a May 5, 2004 Health Officers Council (HOC) discussion paper,

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.

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.

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.