A diverse network of contacts.

A discussion with Ann Livingston, Executive board member of Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), a non-profit society funded by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority as part of their harm reduction strategy. They are a group of users and former users who work to improve the lives of people who use illicit drugs through user-based peer support and education.

At first discussion of the aspects surrounding our event, Ann suggested that business and people involved in social issues is “a marriage long overdue”. There is often a misconception of pitting business and social work against each other, when if fact the collaboration of them may be an effective and worthwhile means of addressing social issues. Ann went as far to suggest that business has a fair amount to contribute to addressing social issues such as addiction and drugs. 

Ann described a push by libertarians for a free market approach to drugs and to deal with the associated affects including crime and addiction and suggested a common view that drug prohibition as a policy for drugs has to end. Despite this view, however, a shift away from drug prohibition policies is not happening due to a lack of collaboration. In order for a fundamental shift in drug policy to come about, it requires a collaboration between all parties affected- business, libertarians, students, politicians, research and drug professionals, addiction workers- to transform the way we look at drugs and create the momentum necessary for change.

When asked if VANDU would be an organization interested in being involved in such an event and providing users interested in being a part of the educational panel, Ann referred to the organization’s goals and beliefs. These include assisting in facilitation of open dialogue between users and other groups in the community in order to transform attitudes toward addiction and drug use and developing a diverse network of contacts for furthering the discussion on policy alternatives.

From VANDU’s website regarding the purpose of the organization: “VANDU’s primary objective is to increase capacity of people who use illicit drugs to live healthy and productive lives. The purposes of the society are to improve the quality of life for people who use illicit drugs, to develop local networks and coalitions of informed and empowered people who will work to ensure public policies and practices are favourable to people who use illicit drugs, to keep informed and to inform the public concerning the social, economic, health and treatment issues related to the use of illicit drugs.”

Its is reassuring to know that we have an organization with parallel goals to assist and guide us in accomplishing ours.