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Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users

Comparing Drug Use Rates of Detained Arrestees in the United States and England: Research Report

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
International Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program (I-Adam) of the National Institute of Justice o
Sponsor: 
National Institute of Justice (of U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs)
Date: 
1999-04
Pages: 
72
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
First report of the International Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program (I-Adam), modelled after the U.S. program (ADAM), being implemented in various countries. Detained arrestees are periodically tested to determine the extent of illicit drug use in this population. This report provides a comparative analysis of surveys of arrestees in England and the U.S. The report provides statistical comparisons of compares several aspects of drug use in the two countries: urinalysis results for six types of drugs; self reported use of 10 types of drugs; the extent to which drugs are injected; the extent to which arrestees had received drug treatment before; the extent to which they want to receive treatment; age of first drug use; and levels of legal and illegal income among detainees. In both countries, rates of drug use are high; there is little difference between the extent to which detainees have received or want to receive drug treatment; and little difference in age of first drug use. Arrestees in England report higher levels of illegal income, expenses on drugs, and use of opiates/heroin, meth and amphetamines. Cocaine/crack use was significantly higher in the U.S.
Keywords: 
National Institute of Justice; England; drugs; drug use; prisoners; US; USA; UK; Britain; United States

Komagata Maru: A Commemorative Evening

Publication type: 
Brochure / Leaflet / Pamphlet / Information Sheet
Agency: 
Komagata Maru Historical Society
Date: 
1989-11
Pages: 
40
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
A booklet created for participants of a commemorative evening in November, 1989 of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident of 1914. The evening was put on by the Komagata Maru Historical Society, a coalition of South Asian community-based organizations. The booklet gives an historical account of Komagata Maru, describes the Society, and describes art, cultural events and organizations affiliated with the Society, and includes copies of proclamations from the mayors of Vancouver and Surrey, and the provincial government of "Komagata Maru Day".
Keywords: 
Komagata Maru; Komagata Maru Historical Society; British Columbia; Indo-Canadian; East Indian; South Asian; immigrants; immigration; racism

Homelessness

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
Parliamentary Research Branch (of the Library of Parliament)
Series: 
PRB 99-1E (Library of Parliament Cataloguing Number)
Date: 
1999-01-08
Pages: 
51
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
This report draws on existing studies and discussions of determinants of homelessness; effects of homelessness on health; and policy related to homelessness. The report was undertaken to fill a gap in knowledge in this area; at the time of the report there was no consensus on the scope of the problem; its causes or remedies; or the composition of the homeless population. The objective of this report is to present the major characteristics of the homeless population in Canada and to offer an overview of the major explanations for the situation. The report defines homelessness and the methodological and policy issues associated with adopting a particular definition are identified. Discussion then turns to the problems in enumerating the homeless population, the living conditions of the homeless, and the impacts of these conditions on their health. The links between homelessness and prison and mental illness are examined. Finally, the report offers proposals for legislative measures to try to stem the growth of homelessness and its associated problems in Canada.
Keywords: 
Parliamentary Research Branch; Library of Parliament; homelessness; housing; mental health; prison; prisoners; health; social policy; health policy; Canada

Homelessness: The U.S. And Canadian Experience

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
Parliamentary Research Branch (of the Library of Parliament)
Series: 
PRB 00-02E (Library of Parliament cataloguing number)
Date: 
2000-09-12
Pages: 
44
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
This paper identifies the root causes of homelessness by comparing the U.S. and Canadian experiences from the perspective of prominent Canadian and U.S. experts on homelessness and housing. A brief history of homelessness in the U.S. and a description of key structural factors contributing to homelessness are included (e.g. decline of affordable housing; rent controls and other regulatory constraints on housing markets; the deline in the casual labour market; deinstitutionalization of people with mental illness; and the crack/cocaine epidemic). It also gives a brief history of homelessness and poverty in Canada, and describes the current situation, pointing out the significant similarities between the U.S. and Canada. It concludes that while homelessness is essentially a problem linked to poverty, the search for solutions must address multiple aspects such as affordable housing; employment opportunities; income distribution; mental and physical health; drug addiction; crime prevention and law enforcement.
Keywords: 
Parliamentary Research Branch; Library of Parliament; homelessness; affordable housing; mental health; prison; prisoners; health; social policy; health policy; Canada; US; USA; United States; drugs; crime; housing policy

Vancouver/Richmond Health Board: Action Plan to Combat HIV/AIDS in the Downtown Eastside

Publication type: 
Media Release
Agency: 
Vancouver/Richmond Health Board
Sponsor: 
Vancouver/Richmond Health Board
Date: 
1997-10-23
Pages: 
13
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
Three short documents released to the media in late October, 1998, about the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board passing a motion declaring the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Downtown Eastside a public health emergency, and about the Action Plan developed as a result. This media backgrounder provides a summary of highlights and goals of the Action Plan (which would become known as the Vancouver Downtown Eastside HIV/AIDS Action Plan). These goals include improving access to health services; improving testing and medical protocols; collaboration between government, community and other organizations; developing longer-term strategies and addressing the basic determinants of health; and additional funding through the Continuing Care Program. Also included is a timeline outlining specific objectives to be completed in the next two months, and a glossary of stakeholder agencies.
Keywords: 
Vancouver/Richmond Health Board; Downtown Eastside; DTES; HIV; HIV/AIDS; drugs; injection drug use; drug use; Vancouver; methadone; affordable housing; action plan; Vancouver Downtown Eastside HIV/AIDS Action Plan; harm reduction; access to services; HIV prevention; risk reduction; IDU

Hope Beyond The Hurt: Drugs, Crime and Canadian Society/De L'Espoir Par-dela la Souffrance: Les Drouges, Le Crime et la Societe Canadienne

Publication type: 
Conference / Meeting Proceedings
Agency: 
The 29th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice, Vancouver, British Columbia, November 5-8 2003
Sponsor: 
The Canadian Criminal Justice Association; The British Columbia Criminal Justice Association
Date: 
2003
Pages: 
102
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
Bilingual conference programming listing and describing workshops, keynote speakers, and plenary sessions of the 29th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice, which was held in Vancouver from November 5-8, 2003. The theme of the conference was drug addiction, addressed broadly from The Four Pillars Approach (Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement, Harm Reduction). Addiction is viewed as both a health and justice challenge from this approach, not just a criminal justice problem.
Keywords: 
The Canadian Criminal Justice Association; The British Columbia Criminal Justice Association; conference; drugs; crime; Canada; Vancouver; criminal justice system; justice system; addictions; prevention; treatment; drug treatment; harm reduction; public health; Four Pillars Approach; Four Pillars Strategy

Community Economic Development: The complementary roles of the community organizer and business developer

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Series: 
National Economic Development and Law Center Report, Vol. XI, Issue 3
Date: 
1981-07
Pages: 
6
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
This article argues against the common assumption that the goals of business and community organizing are so different that combining them will undermine the effectiveness of each. Ultimately, their interests may be seen as compatible. Business is more likely to succeed if it has political influence, which requires community involvement and support. Community organizations could benefit from building an economic development perspective into their internal and external activities.
Keywords: 
National Economic Development and Law Center; community economic development; community development; community-based development; community capacity building; community-based organization; economic development

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association Annual Report 2003: The Democratic Commitment

Publication type: 
Annual Report
Agency: 
British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)
Series: 
March 2004 / Volume 38 / Number 1
Date: 
2004-03
Pages: 
28
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
The BCCLA is a grassroots organization that defends and advocates for civil liberties through public education, casework, law reform, and litigation. This annual report reviews work done in 2003, lists staff, volunteers, and member supporters, and provides a financial statement. Highlighted work includes advocating for a public inquiry on the Maher Arar case, and contributing to the creation of the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). New positions taken are described (against roadside drug testing; video surveillance in schools; national ID cards; sexual morality laws still existing in the criminal code). Major casework is detailed, in the areas of due process; police accountability; freedom of speech; personal privacy; drug offences; discrimination; patients' rights; and good governance.
Keywords: 
British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA); civil rights; constitutional rights; law reform; constitution; British Columbia; advocacy; advocacy groups; law; policy; policy reform; legal system; human rights

Time Out II: A Profile of BC Youth in Custody

Publication type: 
Research Paper / Project Report
Agency: 
The McCreary Centre Society
Sponsor: 
Survey component sponsored by Youth Justice Services, BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Date: 
2005
Pages: 
49
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
This report presents the findings from a survey of 137 youth in custody in British Columbia. The survey found that youth in custody are more likely than other BC youth to have a serious physical or mental health condition or disability; less family, school and social connectedness; a history of family violence; involvement with illicit drugs and weapons in the past; and engagement in a variety of risk-taking behaviours in the past. The report gives a comprehensive profile of the youth surveyed, in terms of demographics, health, risk behaviours, family and social support, school and community experiences, and particular issues of Aboriginal youth in custody. Three broad recommendations for action include early intervention to reduce the likelihood of youth entering the criminal justice system; the need for better responses to the health needs of youth in custody; and more opportunities for youth in custody to experience nurture and care from adults as well as develop academic, vocational and social skills.
Keywords: 
The McCreary Centre Society; survey; British Columbia; youth; adolescents; criminal justice system; prisoners; prison; young offenders; social determinants of health; health; youth issues; Youth Criminal Justice Act

Evidence About HIV Transmission in Prisons

Publication type: 
Newsletter
Agency: 
Canadian HIV/AIDS Policy and Law Newsletter; Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Sponsor: 
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Series: 
In Canadian HIV/AIDS Policy & Law Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 4/ Vol. 4, No. 1, Winter 1997/98
Date: 
1997
Pages: 
4
Collections: 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Summary: 
Scholarly article reviewing data and studies about HIV transmission in prison in various countries. The author argues that more studies of HIV transmission in prison need to be carried out to further knowledge in this area. Based on existing knowledge, efforts to reduce transmission should focus on reducing risk arising from injection drug use (through methadone programs; syringe exchange and bleach programs) and decreasing the number of inmates at risk of infection (through diversion programs that divert them from risk behaviours).
Keywords: 
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network; prisons; prisoners; HIV; HIV/AIDS; AIDS; risk behaviours; injection drug use; drug use; IDU; United States; Australia; Scotland; Britain; UK; US; USA

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