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This past Monday, we presented our proposal to our social innovation class - hosting a forum on open drug policy aimed at business students. Overall, it seemed that the idea was well accepted.  One of the students asked why would business students want to attend. Our response was that students are learning about real issues in the community, with the opportunity to potential earn academics credits or an equivalent certificate. In addition, the group of students that presents the best solution (on alternative drug policies and how business students can apply their skills and education to such issues) has a chance to present it at the Blueprint For Beyond Prohibition, a large 3 day conference in late October that also focuses on alternate drug policies. Some die-hard business students gravitate towards such events, but it will be a friendly competition.

In attendance  was our guest speaker Nicola Hall, founder of From Grief to Action, and was named a Woman of Distinction by YWCA in 2003. FGTA’s goals are to provide support for family and friends of drug users, while promoting awareness of drug use as a health issue.  Nicola shared with us how she got involved in the community after family members started using drugs. She spent many years in social planning and decided to shed light on drug usage in middle to upper class neighbourhoods – something that was considered taboo.

Nicola told us that was our proposal was very feasible, but that we should find an economic hook – a way to lower cost while effectively combating drug addiction. She also mentioned that media coverage was an important aspect for informing people of what is being done. With that said, we need  to finalize details on the nitty-gritty stuff such as cost breakdown structure and detailed event planning. Its going to be a busy time, especially with all of us juggling deliverables for other classes. But being able to actually bring our idea to life would be truly rewarding.

Using FaceBook for Discussion

Our professor, Graham Dover,  had emailed us a link about for a Facebook group. It was created by the BC Medical Association to create conversations about drug addiction -  using Facebook as a platform for discussion. The main question is: “Is Addiction A Disease or Human Failure?”  Browsing through the numerous posts, it seems that the general consensus is that addiction is a disease. However, posters differ on how they define “disease”.

Using social networking websites are a great place to generate  awareness on an issue. We will post information about our event on Facebook, as well as the ideas that will be generated. Just like the group created by BCMA, we will allow users to create posts and stimulate discussion.

If you are interested in joining this Facebook dialogue on addiction, please click on this link. The greater the discussion, the greater understanding we have of how various people view addiction. With that said, to change people’s mentality, we have to know where they are coming from.

A Talk with The UBU Champion

Today we were fortunate to meet up with Doris Chow from United We Can, the largest social enterprise in the DTES focusing on collecting recyclable  produts such as bottles and cans. Everyday numerous binners (people who search through garbage bins looking for items that be recycled for cash) pile into an old building along East Hastings, unloading ”treasures” they have discovered. It is a sustainable business that provides employment to local residents, who would generally not be hired anywhere else. 

Doris spearheads the Urban Bining Unit, a division of United We Can that focuses on creating compact carts. These carts enable binners to pick up and transport recyclable products from surrounding businesses that are willing to donate.

We engaged in 1.5 hour conversation in a small coffee shop in Gastown.  After ordering our coffee, we immediately bombarded her with questions. She was open and replied to each one thoughtfully. Drug addiction is a very complex issue. We talked about how drug prohibition had not been effective. Drug dealers are still rampant and enslaving  addicts, who need to get high.  I saw several of what appeared to be drug transactions in the back alleys as I walking to UWC.  Drug policies were made on a federal level, which creates some limitation in both the provincial and municipal level. Political bureaucracy and the need for elected officials to remain in power generally result in policies that cannot be controversial and are still the the status quo.

On the other hand, there are those who successfully complete rehab but still remain unemployed and homeless. Doris told us how she had bumped into one the regular binners at UWC outside a rehab center.  He looked a lot healthier because he had been changing his lifestyle. However upon reaching sobriety, people were reluctant to offer him a job due to his past. He managed to secure a job at UWC, but the high cost due of rent in surrounding neighbourhoods forced him to remain in the DTES. Continued exposure to an environment where drug usage is visibly high, makes it more difficult for a recovering addict. There seems to be lack of policies that enable people to leave the DTES, mixed along with NIMBYism.

Doris was an SFU sociology graduate.  Last summer, she had attended the “Semester in Dialogue” program in the downtown campus that focuseson social problems. Since our project was similar to some of the events from that program, she provided insight on who we should invite and methods to facilitate it.  A case competition involving business students would have to avoid the pitfalls of being too competitive – it may take away the true point of the exercise. She explained that it was not the end product or result that was important , but rather the process of thinking and collaborating on such issues.

An Addiction Cleanser – Ibogaine

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive plant originating from West Africa.  It was traditionally used as a hallucinogenic drug used in the rites of passage for young men. However in the 1960s, it was discovered that it had anti-addictive qualities that could assist heroin and other drug users to break from their habit.  This non-addictive substance has found to be successful in as little as a one-dosage treatment, and minimizes majority of associated withdrawal symptoms. It causes some intense visual and psychological experiences that can profoundly change the addict - many of these users do not relapse after ibogaine. Ibogaine is technically legal in Canada, but not approved by Health Canada. However, it is illegal in the United States.

There are dangers with ibogaine, as several users have died from its usage. It is no “magic bullet” or “cure”, but to complement existing drug therapy. The fact the substance is illegal in numerous countries may have to led to minimal scientific research done so far. As well, proponents such as Marc Emery believe that drug companies  are reluctant to fund R&D because of the lack of profit associated with only one to two dosages per addict.  Regardless, numerous addicts, even those on methadone, that have taken ibogaine swear by it. It is only a matter of time before scientists can isolate the chemicals in this substance that can free addicts from suffering.

This idea is not new to Vancouver. In 2003, the Prince Of Pot, Marc Emery created an ibogaine therapy centre for addicts in the DTES. It cost him about $1500CDN per person, which provided about 2 dosages. Unfortunately lack of funding led to the closure of the centre. The program was re-started through the Iboga Therapy House, a non-profit business located on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.  Its high cost, and lack of actual research into the long-term effects prevents the government from endorsing or funding, in what could be still be described as an “experimental drug”.  However if factoring health costs in treating addicts in critical stages, it may actually be cheaper. In a controlled setting with a reasonable dosage, the treatment can be safe and effective.

Vancouver’s Darker Beauty

Vancouver is a beautiful city, rated one of the best places to live in the world. However as one passes by downtown east side, does that description still apply? I moved to Vancouver about 18 years ago. The cross streets of Hastings and Main still look like what it was back then with one major difference – the people.  The life expectancy of those living in Canada’s poorest postal code is about 20 years lower compared to other local neighbourhoods. The heavy open-drug usage in the area is quite a revelation for many tourists. Being touted the most concentrated HIV-infection zone in North America, and factoring in other diseases such as hepatitis, residents of the DTES are battling it out with substance abuse.

I had a friend that fell on some hard times and unfortunately, used crack cocaine to get him through it.  Several months later, he managed to kick the habit and resumed his life. However several years passed, he hit a rough patch and resorted to his old ways. I heard from a friend that he currently resides in the DTES, doing what it takes to feed his addiction. He had a strong will but had always been struggling against this addiction disease. Its painful to see any friend go through such ordeals. He made a bad decision and wishes he could change the past.

It would be foolish to state that rehabilitation works for everyone. However, many people have been successfully “transformed” through intervention and other means.  Lives saved through rehab would be the same as bringing someone back to life – miracles CAN happen.