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cd to bring a six pack of beer -- or evcn a single bottle -- into thc building. Why should somconc be allowed to bring drugs like cocaine, heroin or mari juana into the building'? Six years of negotiation? Thc admissions committee has only becn in existcncc for a fcw months. Already, it has produced changcs in thc Ccntrc's admissions policy, eg., the changc to onc day only barring for buying drugs on the corncr. And just who is it that has bccn ncgotiating for 6 years? VANDU (Vancouvcr Arca Nctwork of Drug Users) hasn't cvcn been around that long. Staff "spying on" people outside? Carncgic front door staffroutincly walk outsidc thc building to mahe surc that nobody is dying on thc sidcwalk or in thc allcq.. Thc quick action of staff in administering CPR and calling 9 1 1 has saved the lives of countlcss pcoplc who havc ovcrdoscd from drugs or suffcrcd from violcnt assaults. Whilc peoplc are always rcady to complain about unfair trcatmcnt -- rcal or perceived -- the staff gct vcry littlc recognition or thanks for saving someone's life. 4,000 addicted Downtown Eastside residents? Thc population of the ncighbourhood is actually 8,000, not 12,000 as suggcstcd in the VANDU prcss rclcase. That doubles to 16,000 if you include Strathcona. But the numbcr of rcsidcnts who arc addictcd to drugs other than alcohol can't be known for surc Estimates vary from 1,000 to 2,000. It is
certainly untrue that half the people living in the Downtown Eastsidc are addicted to cocainc or heroin. What is known is that during the late 1980s, most of Vancouver's drug sccnc was contained hcrc by the policc and that rcsultcd in an cxplosion of drug usc on thc strccts of the Downtown Eastsidc. How many drug uscrs livc in thc area and how many con~chcrc to buy and usc is hard to count. Thc Vancouvcr lnjcction Drug Usc Stud). Pro.jcct has noted that more than 213 of its participants livc outsidc thc Downtown Eastside. Submitted. A fcw picccs in this issue comnlcnt on VANDU hyping a march/confrontation with the evil staff and board of Carncgic. Words in their prcss rclcase haw both acting "unfairly", "inappr~~riatcly" and cvcn "illcgally". Ifthcsc words werc to gct media to come, it was a succcss. Rcportcrs from the Chincsc languagc papers wcrc on hand, thc samc who dutifully wrotc of thc n~cagrimsof Sang Lcc and othcrs who blamc drug uscrs for bad water, wrong numbers, littcr and anything else that they list as violations. It will likely bc a great hcadlinc, but the basic issue gcts muddicd or just lost. Carncgic can't bc n trcatn m t ccntrc, but it also can't pcrn~itdrug use and abusc on its prcmiscs. If individuals choosc to buy o d d d r u ~on this corncr, choose to get stoned to the point ofbcing noticcably high, choose to cntcr
this building.. thcn the decisions of people over the years kick in - Carncgic is like an island where you need to be straight and sober to conic in, \\.here you can access all the things available from the library. the theatre, m ~ n learning , Centre, art galley, weight room, kitchen arx' concession. volunteer activities, movies. computers and more. A "policy" is a waj. of doing things that pcoplc already here havc agreed on. It is opcn to rcvie~v.but is not constantly ignored or changed. Admissions policy is just that - a set of rules and guidelines that ha\c worked for many years, that can't be thrown out for one incident or one group. Change is the result of intelligent discussion. assessment of need and agreement on appropriate measures Okay. speech over. The survey is underwa!,. and even with cynical comments, it is a way of asking. The idea behind doing it with someone is to not havc a handful of people fill out hundreds of them and submit their opinions anonymously as hundreds of individuals. The idea of nunibering is to prevent photocopying of a handful ofopinions to skewer results. This is standard practice for surveys in general, to keep results as representative as possible. It's fairly easy to make numbers say lvhat \.ou want, and any s w e y worth its salt has respect for the possibility of error.
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, It is disheartening to be attacked with exaggerated and wong statements. It's also sad that explanations havc to be given for what is obvious except to people who want to get thcir opinion on page one. no matter what. Give your head a shake. -
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Adding nl the end The part you just read is u ~ i t t c n as a largely 31d party opinion. I have ncwr bcen barred or had a m trouble entering Carnegie. nor have thousands of others. 1 won't attack or print
others' attacks on individual sccurit~rstafffor J perceived unfair. inappropriate or illegal actions. This is fair in itself - if a damning story appears in a newsletter for the place you work, and doesn't contain eve? point of view or factor in an incident of alleged misconduct, the pcrson so named has no defense without violating what may be confidential information about the individual so treated. kbrnple: Someone is viewed selling to a kid. then the next day the staff who saw it learns that the kid is dead overdose. Another kid is seen bu!ing from the same dealer, thcn they both want to come into Carncgic. The security pcrson sa\.s 'not tala?!' to the kid kvho just bought, and sa\,s 'not you- to the dealer. Both protest, the kid saying he just wants lunch.. but securih has experience with kids wanting to fix in the washroom: the dealer s q s he has a right to use a conmiunity centre and his rights are being violated. He dccidcs to push it, shouldering his way past the staff. Two or three more secunty surround him and force him out of the building. He loudly protests his innocence and the unfairness of securit?,. People both inside and outside see nothing but one pcrson being forced outside by 3 staff. and several outside shout imults and accusations at staff.. . This is part of the purpose of reviewing Admiss~ons policy and procedures. to air legitimate complaints and to be clear on what the rules arc. The staff arcn'l perfect. but few incidents are as cut&dried as pcople make out. Attitudes need to change throughout. but the view from hcre is that this is not a "Saints and Sinners* trip at all. Sonic cite impropcr staff actions "ever?. day" while others call for cleaning the corner and ncighbourhocd of all drug users "by whatever means necessary." And no one is right or wrong. ARer VANDU members finished and there was an opcn mike. Michael Clague (Director) asked how many of the crowd were barred. About six hands went up. Claguc then said that -one who felt thqz were unfairly barred or treatcd to scc him and thcy'd go over the entire incident that led to the barring. Afler the event was over. no one took him up on the ofler. If p p l c feel they are being barred unfairly then thcrc is a oroccdurc to deal with that. Just demanding that all rules and polic! and procedures now in use be discarded is unfair too. By PAULR TAYLOR
now being held up as "the real opinion", (the same person who offered to let me fill it out with the door locked said, "so, ~ o u ' drather not have your opinions reflected than put your concerns about its merits aside and participate" - as if not filling out the survey were tantanount to being voiceless! Does the Carnegie Centre consider this true? 1s this official Carnegie policy - "Fill in the Blanks or Fuck Off'? Do you have such faith in this poorly designed and reactionary survey that it Suriey of Fear allows you to completely ignore what people say, ~ i swu - t x ~admisick ~ puticy survey cm on+y because they can't or won't fit it into your hastily serve to deepen the already intransigent attitude designed excuse for ignoring what's been said tliat pewades some, or pethaps most, of the staff many times daily over the last decade? That attiand board at Carnegie. l'herr policy and its imtude worked dismally for the mission statement plementation are correct, and the survey has been process, and resulted in a dismal mission stateexpressly designed to prove it so, and do nothing ment. This survey is one example of just how proelse but prove it so. With so many academics in .fo~ndly the .mission statenlent ,proce;s failed. the DES now, you'd think some thought would Well, Carnegie - I don't buy it, the Human Rights have hput into thc dosign of the survey - some Comrnision won't buy it, and no one else down consultation with people trained in survey design here buys it. etc. If you build your walls too high, any attempt When all the actions of an institution are moanyonekes to talk to you will seem like an attack. tived solely by fear and obstinancy, which is cerThis is the situation right now at Carnegie. The tainly the case with this so-called survey, it can survey, though it looks like an attempt to get peoonly be self-defeating. When I asked upstairs for a ple's opinions, is actually an attempt to silence the copy of the survey to do at home, 1 was told that 1 opinions of those who have long disageed with couldn't take it out of the building - 1 had to fill it certain Carnegie practises. Separate surveys for out in front of the learning centre volunteer. (Anthose "inside" and "outside" the building (what in other volunteer, who had taken the survey home the hell does that mean? is that your world view, after the volunteer dinner, didn't know if it would insiders and outsiders? you betray your biased be accepted or not, after 1 told her of my experiintentions by the very design of the survey. ..) ence. Was it? I'd like an answer.) So, in fact, the And the expressed (by all the people I complained survey is not confidential, even though it asks to, except the four who agreed with me - three about front door security staff's actions, which is staff and one volunteer) fear that "some group" the most sensitive issue in the buildmg right now. (VANDU is mentioned explicitel' by all of them) Of course, I complained to various people who were around at the time - the program director, a would ~hotocopysurveys and inundate the centre volunteer co-ordmator, a couple board members, with h w b e d s of surveys still doesn't justify not letting people do them at home. Go ahead an various clients/voJunteers. 4 couple days later, another volunteer, who had heard of my critinumber them. I did not cornplain about that. It's cisms, offered to let me do the survey in front (f not even an argument, yet that's what I'm told. "You can't take it cause it's numbered." him, with the association ofice door closed, as if WHAT!??! Excuse me for asking, but from school this were in any way different from the first situation. See what I mean about intransigence? It's not of logic is that statement? You really mean, "Of only the idiotic design of the survey, but the anal course you can take it, it's numbered!" (and therefashion in which it both became necessary and is
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Will You Grow Old With Me?
for we know there can only be one copy o f it). Besides, real survey design involves numerous methods for detecting false or duplicate surveys. I say this all without malice. If Carnegie wants to ignore what 1 and hundreds o f other people say, and tahe their little survey as the WORD, then they are the ones acting in bad faith. Actions motived solely by fear are self-defeating. A deer running from a bear into the headlights.
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You \vho are young with the World always there at your feet Will you wunt those years lost? Will you grow old with nie In the bed that was our past All the lies, we were fed there? Will you grow old with me Like the young and old trees that Keep the forest growing strong'? Will you grow old with me and The disappointments I've known All the dreams that have been lost'? Will you grow old with me and We'll build those four walls again Thoso windows and all the doors'? Will you grow old with me with No more of the sunsets to watch The shy never turning black again'? Will you grow old with me and watch The Male Grouse do his mating dance With Heaven's gates opening wide? nsnicl --I__.
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To: Carnegie Newsletter From: Bridge Housing Society for Women Dcar Gicnds & familics oflhc Downtofin Eastsidc,
) The Bridge Housing Society for Women is proud
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where was the Moon an hour ago'? bvhich Moon'? lsis Ariel Calisto Galileo Newton WHO? named the Planets? \vhich planets and axis is where the? all nlect (thc mythologies) and what is happening in Palestine M ~ Gadd~
to announce the opening of our new building at 100 E. Cordova at Columbia. It is a dream that has been 1 carried for over twenty-six years by different groups of women. We would like to thank the cornmunit>. j and all those bvho have belicved ~nand supported us
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inThe thisbuilding dream. will house thirty-six women In pcrmanent apartnients: provide short term stay for twelve :. women and we are renting the basement and the ; main floor to the Dounlonn Easlside Womcn's centre for a few dollars per year. We have hired r ATIRA (they. run transition housing for women) to 1 manage the building so any questions about tenancy call them at 684-3571.The roof top has raised ' gardens, a common room and will be home to the i Bridge Socieb ofice. We will be having a grand ! opening in the fall once all the details have been ' worked out and then we will invite you all to join us for, a lour ~ This~ 1s truly a C O I ~ ~ U success ~ I ~ ) story.
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The Learning Centre Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. we havc a reading circle on the 3rd floor in the Learning Centre. Have you seen the movie but never read the book'? During the month of June we will be reading and watching JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit". Watch for show times; come listen, read and enjoy! ---.-
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President's Report This term proved to be a challenge for many on the CCCA board. Much of our focus was on the Four Pillars Approach. Thanks to everyone for a job well done. AS most of you already know, Irene Schmidt has from her position. Imagine surviving the Camegie Board for 15 plus years - Way to go Irene! After our AGM we will be having a going-away cahe for Irene. Carncgie lost a few members this year.. Jean-Marie Boilcau's death caught a lot of us off guard. The was attended by many from the comnunity. His family came to take Jean- Marie's remains home. A video was sent to his family, as they were unable to stay for the memorial. Doris, who cut hair for many years at Carncgic, retired (which I was surprised about when she brought it to one of our CCCA board meetings). However she is cutting hair a couple of times a month at the Door is Open. We havc Cody and ,cutting hair as part of the Street program on the corner of Main and Hastings. Thanks Doris for the many years you volunteered at Carncgic Centre. Your hard work was apprcciatcd. Thanks to all Carncgic Staff for helping us kccp a well-run volunteer program. Thanks in particular to security staff for showing us no job is too big. This year for the President was, at times, dificult. Once again 1 would like to thank Muggs and the gang for taking care of business while I was hospitalized. I can only hope that this year brings a much healthier and prosperous beginning. Good Luck! to all for a successful gear.. keep the good job. Margaret CCCA President I
FIGHT WITH BRAINS A N D INTEGRITY In the last election. Malt Todd ran for social Justicc.. In my riding he didn't have a chance. but Matt has character and guts. He has the spirit 0ftllC! youtllful crusaders I remember so ncll as a boy in the Thirties. Matt is >.oung,on the very cusp of a new age. I trust peoplc like Matt to revive tired spirits, never llinch in the face of greed, social igllorancc. b c t r a ~ d s .lics and scorn. And fight \$' brains and intcgrit? for thc struggIil~g.mcmbcrs 01 i our human famil). Sam Roddan
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The Dugout It's a littlc storcGont situation in tlic unfortunate arca of Gastown. at 59 P o ~ ~ l l . I first got involvcd with thc Dugout in 1990. It wasn't for frcc c o k , brcad. soup, or to watch TV. I990 ivas thc first tinic I dccidcd I nccded liclp - Cor alcoholism. E i c p day at 12:30 pni thcrc's an AA mccting. M!. brother camc to my honic clcr). da!, for a month. csactly a1 12: 15. t l c introduccd IIIC to this program. From that \ c a r on I fclt good. I faccd my so-callcd fcars, and ycars of abusc. I t hasn't casy, but ),ou know in ordcr to hcal from thc insidc out.. if I didn-t do this I could bc dcad. During I990 I found a pcacc and happincss - it's callcd finding a form of bclicf. I clioosc to call this bclicf my Crcator - tlic caglc isho flics high in thc sky of thc Downton~nEastsidc. Thc Dugout is a Safc Havcn for man?. peoplc. Thc D u g o ~ has ~ t bccn condcnincd b.! peoplc claiming to bclong to thc Gastown Busincss Improvcnicnt Association (GBIA). The!. have uscd thcir inllucncc 10 prcssurc thc C i t ~lo . gct it out, cvcn though it's doing grcat scmicc to local rcsidcnts. Just rcccntly thc Dugout hcld an Opcn Housc for thc purposc of showing tlic GBIA and othcrs in tlic ncighbourhood
7 just how it works and H ho uscs it. Gucss what'? Thcy n c x r showcd. S h a m on thcm
a friend of Bill W. *PS By tlic timc !.ou rcad l h ~ an s lnlportant mecling on thc Dugout will bc ovcr. DE RA's n ~ o n ~ lgcncril~ al ~llcn~bcrship mccling 1s on Junc I " and Jackic. managcr of thc Dugout. is con~ingto gise dic publ~c some insight into what-s becn going on - with he Gastoism bullics. isith thc Cit!.. w l h sur1.q s and so on - to solvc 'problcnis" that shc and othcrs actuall! working at thc Dugout arc ncicr askcd aboul. ' l h ~ is s thc attitudc that thc Gastown bunch brmgs to most rcsidcnt issucs - thc! don't rccognisc an)one as isorthy of considcration or c w n cntitlcd to \ . o m an opinion. To quolc from a lcttcr scnl lo Citk C'ouncd b). Rositch, Sali, Bennctt, McCoy and cronics - "Wc will not bc drawn into tq ing to find solut~ons.Wc did not crcalc thc problcni..' Thc "problcni.' is an) thing thcy sa!, it is. Otlicr opinions or facts arc irrclci.ant.
CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION
annual general meeting Sunday, June loth2001 @ 2:00 pm registration opens at 1:00 pm carnegie hall auditorium annual reports changes to the constitution* election of the board of directors
* fie rt resolved io nclop the ('onsria~otland Bylaws as approved at the f~thruary1 Th2001 ('('('A .specral general meefitlg H
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fhe I changes requrred by fhe Ikgistrur oJ('ornpires
To vote at the annual general meeting a person must have been a member for 14 days immediately prior to the meeting To stand for election to the board a person must have been a member 60 days immediately prior to the meeting
rcspcct to tlic intcnt of thc Icgislation. As advocatcs and advocacy organi~ations,we strugglc to changc the law whilc pressuring the ministn to discontinue its practicc of ignoring thc intcnt. and somctimcs the contcnt, of laws now in placc. If tlic ministry followed thc prcamblc and tlic intcnt of thc B(: Bcncfits lncomc Assistancc laws wc would find that:
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If Ministry of Social Development and ~ c o n o m i cSecurity (MSDES) Lived Up To Their Own Laws.
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Rcccntly, and in the past, I havc heard criticism of Welfare Advocates and advocacy organizations. It goes likc Uiis. "Advocates arc contributing to thc problem of poverty, cvcn profiting from the misery of thcir clients." We "put Band-Aids on things without contributing to long tcnn solution^'. Wc arc "part of the problem". It is a hugc problem that we arc forced to put BandAids on injuries whilc. as activists for social justice. we arc trying to win a war. Advocatcs serve peoplc in crisis, whilc we attcmpt, with what little cncrby wc havc I d , to fight the inequities in thc prcscnt system and challcngc the continuing dcmisc of the social safcty net brought about by BC BcncGts laws. A major overhaul to thc BC Bcncfits legislation would free us up to pursuc morc proactive, less draining and hcartbreakiny work. Mcanwhilc, people arc forced by convoluted, unfair laws, and confusing ministry policies that sometimes conflict with those laws, to usc advocates as inbrprctcrs and enforcers of thcir legal rights as outlincd in the Ministry's BC Benefits Income Assistancc legislation. Wc would need fewcr advocates if MSDES fulfilled its stated purposc in the preamble of thc BC Bcncfits legislation and respected the Intcrprctation Act that governs the intcVrctation of all BC Laws. The prcamblc states that the BC Bcncfits ~~c~~~~~ Assistancc laws arc intended to prcscnc the social Safety nct and support self-dctcmlination and the oppoflullit~to work for all British Columbians, TIlc I~~tcrprctation Act states that cvcrq. law sllall construed as a rcmcdy. Adwcatcs would havc fcw grounds to appeal the d c d of bcncfits or the reduction of hcllefits if the ministry cnforccd thcir la\vs (poor as they arc)
Thc wclfarc police - Prevention Compliance and Enforccmcnt (PCE) - would not rcfusc to allow those accused of receiving an ovcrpa~,mcnt accompaniment by an advocatc at meetings with that ollicc. a The Vancouver regional office of MSDES would not rcfusc to allow an appcal of the 3 consccutiw month denial of benefits the). call tiisqtrcrl$cnlioit ,fir /rntcti. o MSDES would not rcfcr to ovcrpaylcnts as "fraud' when people living i-n povcrt!, have been convicted of no crimc. When a person who has bccn receiving Inconlc Assistancc (IA) for morc than 0 months and has bccn approved for disability bcncfits, Health Scrviccs Branch (HSD) of MSDES would not t n to makc himher wait 6 morc months bcforc granting rcqucsLed dental bcnclits. a Regional OlXccs of MSDES would neither wait the maximum 30 days to implcmcnt Tribunal dccisions they do not intend to appeal nor would they rcfusc to implement Tribunal decisions they h a x not successfully appealed. District Ofices would not delay granting bcncfits for weeks because a pcrson could not prove they w r c homclcss. 8 Financial Aid Workers would not rcfusc to listen to people's requests or complaints until an advocate spoke on the person's bchalf The ministry uould not treat applicants for Incomc Assistancc as liars until provcn otlicnvisc. District Supenisors would not rcfusc people living in poverty, on IA. health carc bcnclib for which. according to the law and the intcnt of the legislation. they arc eligible. 8 Regional ofices would not uphold thosc dccisions. Pcoplc liv~ngon IA whosc doctors stale thcy havc a "lifc thrcatcning health nccl' would not bc dcnied funds for dental uorh or othcr hcalth carc goods.
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Financial Aid workcrs \vould bc traincd and cmpo\vcrcd b!, the ministry to aid pcoplc. All workcrs \~ouldbc cncouragcd to givc, rather than discouragcd from giving, obviousl\. ill pcoplc or people with disabilities information about thcir eligibility for disability benefits. o All residents tq-ing to sun.i\c on lnconic Assistance \vould rccci\c "crisis bcncfits" for uncspcctcd necds kvhcn doing without would crcatc hcalth risk. MSDES \vould grant dental bcncfits to all pcoplc u.ho arc living life without thc basic minimum funds to pay for food and clothcs, because having no tccth is a hcalth risk to all peoplc. All British Colunibians. \vho arc able to work but arc \vithout nionq. to provide for thcmsclvcs, would recci~cthc assistance, hcalth care & dcntal work necessary to provide an opportunit!. to work. Evcry piccc of BC Bcncfits legislation would be intcrprctcd by the ministry as intcndcd to bc a rcmcd). for suffering and deprivation. 0
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If \.ou h a w questions about thc wa!. you arc trcatcd talk to an Advocate. Wc'll bc around for a whilc jet.
Chief Chicken Feather's Real Name
I am a crow picking thru dwnpstcrs sun-i\ing 1 am a chicf, Thc Chicken Skin Wamabc tr~bc So far I'm thc onl! mcnibcr 1'111 trailcr
trash sans trailcr My building rcscmbles a trailer park - in spirit if not ph\sicall! I'm the 2"* last Mohican I can-t tell an!,one tho' They might mistakc nlc for a Huron I'm a 46 !,car-old ex-junhic li\.ing in Shit Cih. alonc wishing for a 2"* chance. 1 starc out mb, window a lot \vondcring if thc rcst of humanit! is as scared and confuscd as I am, whoc\cr that is
Bj ELAINE MAR1 DERA Ad\ wale
Changes Are Happening Thc Vancouver Police Department has continued making changcs in District Two (Downtown Eastsidc). Is it going to makc a dffcrcncc? It's up to you. lnspcctor Kcn Doern (District 2) has taken Icadcrship of Police Liaison meetings. T h q arc rccorded and a copy of thc minutes can bc mailed to you a n d or your organi~at~on. All police liaison meetings are hcld on thc 2nd Tuesday of the month, cxcludng Aunust. Instead of nleetings at the NSO, Inspector ~ & r nhas niovcd thc mcciings to 3 12 ~ a i n S t r c e t on the 4th floor (4 1 :30 pni Sharp. Constable Susai Parsons has been rcassigncd to thc Downtoun Eastside. Welcome back Susan. I am surc that the Carnegie Board and staff arc looking fonvard to working with her on community policing issues. If 1 . o need ~ tu contact Constable Parsons, our director Michacl Claguc andor Securih. John Fcrguson h a w a contact nu~iiberfor hcr. Margarct Prevost
Carncnie Admissions Policies and Practices Rcview The Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 7h at 4:00 to discuss Carncgic's admissions policies has been postponed. The member and community survcy is still underway and then must be tabulated and analyzed. The meeting will bc rcschcdulcd when the results are completed. For M h c r info: Michael Clague, Dircctor 665-3301
Summary of Draft Community Drug & Alcohol Plan 7.llis drug and alcohol plan is for the Downtown Eastsidc cojnniunit?8.I t cniphasi~csthat a
maintcnancc. Hiah t h r c s u scrviccs arc thosc that targct addicts \\ho \cant to csit thc drug sccnc complctcl!. and includc trcatnicnt programs and rccovcc I~OUSCS. Thc lo\\., mcdium and high tlucshold s c n iccs will addrcss thc spcctruni of thosc currcntl>.living nit11 drug and alcohol addiction, ultiniatcl> bcncfiting thc kvidcr comniunit!.. Thc plan is co~iiprchc~lsivc in its approach and rcquircs that cqual cniphasis bc placcd on prcvcntion, trcatnicnt. harm rcduction and cnforccmcnt. Thc plan also rcquircs that all four arcas and all thrcc npproachcs bc implcmcntcd togcthcr in ordcr that a rcal conlinuuni is in placc. This is essential for the plan t o be effective.
Prevention Tlic most cffcctivc way to dcal with addictions is prcvcntion. Providing carly assistance to thosc with ~iicntal licalth issucs, or thosc who, duc to abusc or traunia. might attcnipt to sclf-nicdicatc using drugs or alcohol, is csscntial. Positivc altcrnativc acti\.itics for j,outh nccd to cxist, and a rcalistic comniunit~~ bascd drug and alcohol cducation program nccds to bc crcatcd. lncrensc family supports Dcvclop a rcalistic community bascd cducation prograni.
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Harm Reduction co~nprchcnsivcapproach nccds to be takcn tokvards providing a continuum of scniccs, primarily dcli\crcd by and accountablc to thc community in \vhich it is bascd. Thc plan focuscs on four arcas: prcvcnlion, trcatmcnt, harm rcduction and cnforccmcnt. It also dividcs nccdcd scniccs into thrcc catcgorics; Ion., nicdiuni and high thrcshold. Low thrcshold scniccs arc thosc targctcd at pcoplc who arc not rcady or intcrcstcd in trcatnicnt or rcliabilitation. Thcsc includc scniccs such as nccdlc cschangc and supcrviscd injection-rooms. aimcd to kccp pcoplc oflthc strcct and cnablc thcnl to stay alivc and well until thcy yct trcatmcnt. Mcdiun~lhrcshold scrviccs are thosc that \vould rcquirc a dcgrcc of conimitmcnt froni h c uscr, and thcrcforc includc such programs as nicthadonc lliaintcnancc, Dctox programs. or hcroin
Harm Rcduction rcduccs thc hann of drug usc to thc commu~utyand to individual drug uscrs. At its basc Icvcl, it cnablcs drug uscrs to stay alive and takc advantagc of trcatnicnt. T'hc strccts arc kcpt clcarcr by dcsigning around thc ncgativc aspects of drug usc , for instancc hcroin niaintcnoncc programs wliich rcducc strcct sccncs and ovcrdosc dcatlis. Rcducc strcel drug use via lcgal substitution. Rcducc harm of alcohol usc. -lmprovc ovcrall phjsical and nicntal licalth by providing food. Rcducc prc\.cntablc drug o\crdosc dcatlis. Medically supcr\iscd injection rooms. Kcsourcc Ccntrc. Hcroin Maintcnancc Progranl. Acccssiblc low-thrcshold nicthadonc. Sobcring Ccntrc.
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BANNERS PLANNED
for Hastings Theme: Recent History of Retail Activity and Street Life,
1960s,70s & 80s. 1e.g.see ~hotosl
CCAP
Plans a CommunMl Banner Pralect The installation of street banners is a popular instrument of the city and business improvement associations to animate and add visual appeal to the streetscape. Banners can also be used to promote neighbourhood pride and a sense of place, especially if they depict a particular theme or subject matter that is important to the surrounding community. The Carnegie Community Association is working on a life skills training and community pride building project that focuses on the installation of street pole banners along Hastings Street from Cambie Street to Main Street. The Partners For Economic Security and Community Help (PEACH) will be funding the project. For the Commurvty Banner Project, banners will be designed to carry a theme that reflects the recent history (196Os, 70s, 80s) of street life, retail activity and use of public space in the Downtown Eastside. As a working class retail street, it was not too long ago that retail acitivity along Hastings Street was far more vibrant than it is today. The banners are an attempt to remind us of this recent history and encourage us'to think positively about the future. Local residents, working in groups of two, will carry out the research and
design of six (6) banners, which will repeat themselves along four blocks of Hastings Street. Historical photographs of street life will be incorporated into the design of the banners. A part-time Arts Coordinator will be responsible for the artistic content, working closely with participating residents. If you have any relevant photos you'd like to have considered for the banners or are interested in participating, phone CCAP at 689-0397 or drop by the office, 2nd flr Carnegie, ask for Tom.
Gentrllcatlon, And You Thought Thlngs Were Tense Here The following are reports on gentrification struggles happening in two US cities, Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California. This is not an issue unique to Vancouver and in fact things appear to be much more tense in other cities.
From Portland L ong-simmenhg tensions over gentufication have sloshed over onto Non'heast Alben'a Street /h recent weeks. Since late Septembec vandals have targeted several local businesses with incendiary grafit/I anarchist symbols and broken storefront windows along the rap/@ de velopment street.
75 date, W h a s documented smashed w~hdowsat Bernhe k Southern Bistro and the nearby Guardno G a l l e ~ as well as Our Dream Gallery and Discourage Records. SIX businesses and propen'ies were hit with grafifi
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s/ogans such as "Gentn'ficationEqua/s Genocide"and "Yuppies Go Home. "Manylocal merchants attn'bute the vandalism to '?nembers"ofthe oficia//vmembedess Black Bloc, a term used to descr/ae anarchists engaged in protest activities. (Willamette Week, Sept. 2000)
From San Francisco The Mission Anti-Displacement CoaMion held the P/anning Department and The C/?yP/annhg Commissionersrespons//a/e to be systematical& destroyed for slowing their ne~ghborhood and taken over the Mayor Brown 's gentrification dot.comers.
...Outside C i i Ha//steps the crowds persisted Dot.com
( Logo and Cartoon from San Francisco, California)
genociders...dot.com genocidrs! "We are the ones the most affected...we the home/ess faMes, we working poor peoples of color...we voice/essimm~grantswho have nowhere else to go! We artists and nonprofit sma// bushesses the Mission District. "No arrests were ordered
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Chanf1i7.gw/ld& as they waved hundreds of... "what do we ~ i ? n l and housing now/"bannersin the ai4 the delegation marched the/>way ngM up info the Ha//where a shockedgroup of comm/ssioners and ci?y planners held sessions. One cardinal demand from the MAC delegates b The Commissionerinclude the Mission communi?y during their planning process to re-zone their ne/ghborhood The speakers let out their frustration at the on-going methods /inposed oh the lives of unsuspect~hg residents who w#ness the recent WohXeration of luxury lofts and giant omce complexes which has let7 them disp/acedand ofen home/ess. ((Excerpt from "Mission Residents Fight Back" The Housing Project, July. 25, 2000)
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Sydney, Australia's Safe lnjectlng Room Is Now Open Here's a n article from t h e A u s t r a k w , Sydney, Australia regarding the recent opening of a safe injecting room in Sydney, Australia. DEALERS 'EXPLOIT' INJECTING CENTRE Drug users and dealers are exploiting a legal loophole that allows them to avoid charges if they are travelling to the Kings Cross injecting room, local businesses have claimed. Drug activity around the inner-Sydney suburb has increased since the safe injecting centre opened eight days ago, said Kings Cross Chamber of Commerce president Paul Haege. The law governing the injecting room gives police the discretion to refrain from charging someone carrying drugs "while the person is travelling to or from, or is in the vicinity of, a licenced injecting centre". "Now it appears to be legal to possess heroin and amphetamines and cocaine ... It puts (police) in a very difficult position because if they don't charge people, they are abrogating their responsibilities," Mr Haege said. The NSW Government, police and UnitingCare, which runs the centre, dismissed the claim."That's just a lot of rubbish and the Kings Cross Chamber of Commerce are totally lacking in credibility," said Uniting Care executive director Harry Herbert. He said there was no other way for the centre to operate. Users needed to be able to bring drugs to the safe environment at the centre. " I think the first week has gone extremely well - we have not had a large group of clients but it is going well," Reverend Herbert said. Mr Haege, who represents 60 Kings Cross nightclubs, hotels and "perhaps one" sex shop, rejected any suggestion that his members were afraid the injecting centre would provide an alternative for addicts who would otherwise shoot up in bars or clubs. That's not right. We don't have members who
run illegal injecting rooms - our basic argument has always been that we would rather the injecting room be somewhere else, away from businesses, " said Mr Haege, who works as a full-time lobbyist. A spokesman for Special Minister of State John Della Bosca said it was "nonsense" to say addicts or dealers could escape charges by falsely claiming they were travelling to the centre. For a trial period of 18 months the injecting centre is open from loam to Zpm, seven days a week. Depending on its success, an evening session between 6pm and lOpm will follow. (The Australian, Monday, May 14,2001)
RCMP officer leads trln to Anti-Harm
Reduction Conference In Sweden Last month Deputy Chief Constable Gary Greer and Inspector Ken Frail accompanied RCMP Drug Education Officer,Chuck Doucette to the Hassela Nordic Network (HNN) World Conference on drugs in Sweden. Conference themes included: "Harm Reduction or Harm Production", "Drugs and the Media- On investigative journalism, propaganda machinery and hidden agendas.", "Role Models of Bad Examples Drug Policy in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States." Based on an island off the east coast of Sweden, the HNN mission statement is "a politically and religiously independent network for international exchange of theoretical ideas and suggestions for practical action to maintain a restrictive drugs policy and prevent the legalization of illicit drugs. HNN runs a "working community educating young people with social problems. We look forward to reports on their informative trip.
Treatment l'rcatmcnt on dcmand is kc!.. To do so. it must bc comprchcnsi\-c and acccssiblc. An incrcasc in thc \.arictj. and amount of programs; including funding Ibr rcco\.cn.houscs. Thcsc must be dc\clopcd hand in hand \\-it11 tlic othcr thrcc arcas of focus. Expansion of a broad rangc of Detos and altcrnativcs. Dc\.clopnicnt and iniplcmcntation of a comprchcnsivc comniunit>~-bascdstralcb?.. * Pro\ idc s c n iccs bascd on First Nations traditio~i. * Pro\ idc access to thosc li\ing \vith nicntal illncss. * Providc communit\~medical short-sta!. unit. * lncrcasc funding and capacit!~ofrccovcn. houscs.
Rccown. houscs
Medium threshold - Maximizing Safety
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Enforcement A comnlunity bascd enforcement stratcg! that is bawd on activc partnership with thc policc dcpartmcnt and that supports hanii rcduction. trcatmcnt arid prc\ cntion. Targcting of largc scalc non-addictcd dcalcrs. Elt'cctiw "d~criminali~alio~fof personal amounts of drugs. Ensurc drug courts do not usc up cxisting rcsources and that thcir Iunding docs not dctract liom lianii rcduction, prc\cntion and trcatnicnt cnbrts.
Underlying the four strategies: Scrviccs dclivcrcd by groups in thc community. Dc\.clopmcnt of an Ad\.ocac\. S\,stcm cnsuriny uscr access to rcsourccs. scmiccs and buildings. Increased Collaboration and co-ordination of scr\-iccs and resources. Duyclop a _ c o ~ ~ c a t iand o neducation s t r a t c ~ around cacli part of thc plan. 'Focus on cornmunit? asscts and strcngths. Dc\ clop acccssiblc housing lor activc uscrs and thosc rcco\.cring from alcohol and drug USC. O n - g o ~ nconimunit\ ~ -bascd c\.aluation of all scn.iccs and progranls. 'h n n ~ u n i t jRascd . nlodcl for Planning. Implcmcntation and Scmicc D c h c q .
High threshold - Sustainable Services Abstincncc bascd sen icc ' 7'rcatt11cnt thcrap? * Stratcb? for mdtlplc d~agnoscsand iiicntal hcalth
Mcthadonc Hcroin maintcnancc Cocaine substitution Alcohol cxchangc Alternative healing Mcdical short-stay unit First Nations holistic Strategy
Low threshold - Minimizing Risk Access to food Medically supeniscd safe injcct~onsites KCSOU~CC cenlre Expand nccdle distribution and rcco\.cn Pccr rcsponsc tro drug o\crdosc 24hr sobcring ccntrc
Guiding principles of the Community Plan. ,
Uscrs must bc ~nvohcdIn thc co-ordlnat~on. plannmg and unplcmc~~~at~on Thc Conmlun~hmust ha\c a d~rcctrole In plann~ng.~mplemcntat~on and d c l ~ \ c nol' sen ices Thc safctj and hcalth of!outh and ch~ldrcn arc paramount In thc ~mplcnicntat~on of thc plan Thc nccds of the Aborynal cornmurut\ must bc addrcsscd Scn ~ c c must s bc a\ adablc and nppropr~atc for all culturcs and language groups Trcatmcnl must bc acccss~blc Thcrc nccds to bc a contmuuni of communlb bascd scr\ ~ c c s Scn ~ c c must s nddrcss thc uruquc nccds or'a rmgc of users Thosc 11\1ngwith ~nuntrrl~llncssmust habc thc~rnccds addrcsscd
250 individuals and organisations established an Alcohol and Drug working group. Two full-day community think tanks wcrc hcld, which fornicd thc basis of thc alcohol and drug plan. Thcse ideas were discussed and expandcd on through nunicrous cotnn~unityparticipation worhshops. It is now bcing brought back to thc community from which it was dcvclopcd for a complclc revicw. The community will then ensure that it bcconics an action plan, rathcr than just onc more report for thc shclf.
I 0. There needs to be an increased and improved access to service. 1 1. A City, Regional and Provincial focus is necessary. 12. Therc must bc accountability at thc community Icvel. 13. Access to housing and employment arc critical. 14. There needs to bc both research and evaluation of community programs 15. Improved worhng conditions of employees in the addiction ficld. 16. Businesses need to provide activc partnerships. 17. Services must bc ettucal and compassionate Need to maximize consumer choicc and support.
Find out more. Contact Comniunity Dircctions For: . Morc copics of this paniphlct The full 27 point plan *- To discuss thc plan To join thc working group Or to arrangc a foniial prcscntation of thc plan for
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History and development of the Community Plan.
HOUP, homc or workplace. Phonc: 604-80 1-6893 Fax: 604-80 1-6371 Writc or Drop In: 384 Main St. Vancouvcr . . ,.-. . - .. ,, - - - - ."._ , . . - - - hc took thc nccdlc I and stuck it in his arm t< hc didn't hit a vcin straight off but luck was with him s hc watched fascinated as thc dark red plume of blood spiralled up thc cylindcr of thc s?.ringc .-.,.-.. ,. .- ..-&...... . -- . -. .-. \ hc had sccn it a thousand tinics bcforc black day hc ncvcr tircd of succunibing black smilc to that dark vision no big dcal of hatc and joy just don't touch thc day to day shit of being a j u d i c no fcar, no guilt gctling hold of thc money bc ablc to rcs~sl finding clcan works know cxactly what peoplc arc thinking bing up and probing for a vcin it's onl~,a lucky black cat a hugc hasslc that's crosscd your path pushing thc plunger down no doubt the ncwly polluted blood no problc~nat all rushing back into thc vcins Iistcn and wondcr nothing and no onc it won't last bccolning cngulfcd so go with it a llickcring, blurrcd junhic sniilc thcrc'll bc no dark, tircsonic confessions the sccrcl lifc of dcath aficr onc last rcal lifctimc thcrc is no happy ending chnrle.s.li,rl~n chtrrlcs,li,rlin
a s alcohol and drug plan is for the Downtown Eastsidc community. It recognises, however, h a t here needs to bc City, Provincial and National plans designed. Many rcports and recommendations have been written over the years. What makcs h s plan uniquc is that it has been entirely envisioned, dcveloped and writtcn by thc people of the Downtown Eastsidc community. This plan is the rcsult of o w a full ycars' work, Coni~nunityDircctions with a mailing list of over -L-
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Visions of Blues, ~mand Rock â&#x201A;Ź9Roll new works by Laurie Marshall and Carmen Bizet Irigoyen
June 8 to 30,2001 Opening: Friday, June 8th, 7-9 pm
featuring a performance by the Bubingal Jazz Group .food dmulion courtesy of Que Pasa
at Gallery Gachet The Artlst's Cooperative 88 East Cordova St. (between Carrall and Columbla St.)
Image: Street Mus~cronsby Laurie Marshall. wood veneer, 2001
Imagne a woman u.ho has a c h w l e d g c d the past's influence on the present A woman who has walked through her past. Who has healed Into the present. lmagine a woman who authors her own life. A woman who excrts, initiates, and rnmm on her own behalf. Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and to the wisest voice. lmagine a woman in love with her own body. A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is. Who celebrates her body and its rhythms and c ~ c l e as s an exquisite resource.
IMAGINE A WOMAN lmagine a wonian who bclicves it is riglit and good she is a \voman. A woman who honours her espcricnccs and tells her storks. Who refuses to can) sins ol'others ~vithinher bod^ and life. lmagine a wonian who believes she is good. A woman who trusts and respects herself, who listens 10 her needs and desires, and ~neclsthem nith tenderness and grace.
lmagine a woman ~ v h ohonours the face of the goddess in her changing face, a wonian who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom. Who refuses to use precious e n e r a disguising the changes in her body and life. lmagine a woman who values the women in her I ~ f kA woman who sits In circles of women Who 1s reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets lmagine yourself as this woman
Energy ROLL YOUR OWN BLACKOU'I' THE FIRST DAY O F SUMMER JUNE 21,2001 THIJRS EVE, 7-IOpm worldwide, a// rime zones
Notes from the Reading Room I'm afraid that there will only bc one notc, today, and it's a very angry notc. Over the past few days, sonleone has stolen all of o w Spanish language material. Over the last year or so, I have spent a fairly large amount of money improving and increasing the size of the collection in light of the increase of Spanish speakers in the area. Now it's all gone and I have to start all over again.. While I have no proof of it, I feel that thc actual thieves arc not Spanish speahcrs. 1 would like to ask anyone to lct us know if they have any information about this. I would also like to ask our Spanish speaking friends not to accept or buy any Spanish language books with Carnegie Rending Room markings on them-thy are stolen property. If you arc offcred any such books, please let us h o w who offered them to you. If anyone has any infonnation which might help us find thcse bool\s and get them back, please let me or John Ferguson, Carnege Security, know. Dick Turner, Head Camegie Reacbng Room
As an altcrnative to George W. Bush's encrgy policies and lack of emphasis on efliciency, conservation and alternative fuels. thcrc \%illbe a voluntary rolling blackout on the first day of summer, Junc 2 1 at 7pm - I Opm in any tinlc zonc (this will roll it across thc planct). It's a sinlplc protest and a symbolic act. Tun1 out your lights from 7pm- l Opm on Junc 2 1. Unplug whatcvcr you can unplug in your housc. Light a candle to the Sungoddcss, kiss and tcll or not. takc a stroll in the dark, invent ghost stories, anything that's not clcctronic - have fun in the dark. Read thc 1999 book "Natural Capitalism" by Hawken & Lovins to learn that conscn.ation/high cficicncy technologies already ARE on-the-shelf. If in~plemcntedthesc revolutionaq ideas would pay thcmsclvcs off within five ycars, alter which wc'd be pumping far less greenhouse gas into the ahnosphcrc and saving bucks to boot. Spread this as widely as possiblc. to your govcrnmcnt reprcsentativcs and environnlcntal contacts. Let them h o w we want global education, participation and funding in conscn,ation, cllicicncy and alternative fuel efforts and an cnd to over-cxploitation and misuse of the earth's resourccs. Anyone knows that the Chcncy-Bush team is blowing smoke whcn they tell us that "..consenation can't help, it'll just be too espcnsivc to itnplenlcnt thosc tcchnologics..." Whilc on the other hand, tcchnologics to develop and deplol- ivcapons to blow inconling ICBMs out of thc sky arc easy to comc b),. For lnorc inTo. write to <rcqucstsiu!gaia.org> Archives at: hup://tm\-~v.gaia.or~ccobala~~ccl
PIGEON P A R K FESI'IVAL Organic oranges for a quarter Sidewalk art by my friend's daughter Dreams & dreamcatchers & poetry Bannock & pop & psycho-eye-tree Even tho we live here, it's not our park "They" are letting "Us" borrow ~t until sundown when we go home So many of th women we've displaced are covering their black & blue faces are shielding their battered & bruised faces with th hair hangin in their frightened eyes Angry native men cold as ice Dark glasses hide th knives in their eyes until yr led into their labyrinth th friend of a friend '/.-.\
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RIVE GAUCHE-PIGEON PARK CARMU AT HASTINGS
CHECK IT OUT !!! EACH MARKET WILL FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT BY LOCAL PERFORMERS
Th man I like al& has my name tattooed on h ~ arm s & I only met h ~ mlasn~te so I guess we get to play Ghosts He looks like my baby brother in his Che Guevara beret after th bikers knocked out his teeth for dealin in th wrong place Th wall between "Us" & "Them" drops when a Druggie I'd seen there dancing even after th music'd stopped takes th mike & electric guitar & moans two beautiful ballads
RIVE GAUCHE MARKET PIGEON PARK CARRALL AT HASTINGS SATlJRDAY JUNE 2, 12 - 4 pm JUNE 16
Luka starts a Neil Young song; " "Dead man lyin by th side of th road. Th man next to us starts sobbin; "it happened a long time ago" He doubles over & cries thru th whole of "Don't let it bring U down" then blesses Luka w~thwater from th dr~nkinfountain his hands raised to th sky in prayer It's not our park but I will come back Diane Wood
SHAKE DOWN IN QIJEBECCITY Reflections From the Trenches By Josephine Grey NAPO International Skcrernry 1 had gone to Quebec City with my children to participate in the Hemispheric Women's Tribunal, to observe the Albrnative People's Suilniit, and join the demonstrations. What I left with was repugnance towards Canadian authorities, along with a renewed faith in the strength of our movement. On Thursday the 19th we saw women weaving messages onto the security perimeter fence, singing their defiance, and expressing their opposition through art and dance. It was a moving experience. On Friday the 20th, 1 ventured up the hill to the front-line demos and got caught by the fencc as some protestors tried to pull it down; a teargas canister landed right beside me and 1 was blinded for 20 minutes. In the evening more clouds of gas. There were demonstrators everywhere. In "Grafiiti Park," We watched young pcople run across the overpass chased by policc, the sound of techno music in the background. On Saturday the 2 1st, we went to the 'official' march and were movcd by the diversity of the event. But when some protestors called on the marchers to join them up at the "wall of shame," we did, along with many others: young, old, workers, homeless, women, men. At the "Centre for Media Alternatives," there was an exciting level of cooperation and technical genius Early the next morning, police raided "Graffiti Park" and arrestcd the folks who had been feeding everyone. Thcy garbaged the food, their belongings, and even some bikes. They swooped down on Laval
University and indis~riniinatcl~ rounded up hundreds more sleeping activists In the end, 1 feel doep sadness that the struggle escalated in this way. At the same time, 1 believe wc arc seeing an evolutionary moment in human history where people fiom all walks and many countries come together for a common cause: Together, we combat a powehl International force determined to wipe out human rights for the sake of profit. At a post-Quebec gathering in Toronto, I spoke of workfare and the corporate delivery of human services under Harris as the leading edge of the corporate agenda in Ontario. Hundreds a g e d and committed to challenging ttus agenda right here at home. Now more than ever, organizations like NAPO must assert the voice of the poor in Canada and strengthen networks with others across the hemisphere and the planet who care about human rights. The renewed international corporate agenda spares no onc: we are all targets of the free trade agenda. Quebec was a step along the way to justice. The best thing about Quebec is the reminder that opposition to unfair trade and corporate rule reflects a myriad of opinions, tactics and efforts. It is the diversity of issues, messages, tactics, ages, languages and cultures moving together which makes h s an unprecedented time in history. While the events of A w l 200 1 are significant and historic, our struggle neither began nor ends in Quebec City. We are part of a diverse global community of activists on whom we can count to cany the struggle forward until achieving the better world we all envision: one built on human rights and respect for our Earth.
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STD CLINIC - 219 Main; Monday-Friday, loam 6pm DOWNTOWN NEEDLE EXCHANGE 22 1 Main; 8:30am8pm every day EASTSIDE NEEDLE EXCHANGE VAN 3 Routes YOUTH City S:45 pm 11:4S pm ACTlMTIES Overbight 12:30 am - 8:30 am SOCIETY Downtown Eastside MOpm 1:30am
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Kettle -$20 Sonya S . 4 120 BCTF-$9 Nancy H.419 Bill G.-$130 Wes K-$14 DEYAS-S I50 RayCam-$70 LSS-$230 Jobo S 4 3 4 Paddy 460 Sarab E.420 Rockingguys 4 3 0 ~ O O ~ ~ O6 1U7 S3 The Edge 4200 Celeste W.-$22
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Artklta repmeat the view# of coatrlbubn .ad not of the hsoclrtloa.
n Subrnission Deadline fcr next issue
Heather -$40
Tuesday, June 12
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Downtown Eastside Residents' Associatlo~can help you
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Welfare problems Landlord disputes Housing problems Unsafe living conditions,
We offer many services as well including a
p. r.
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.'FREE PHONE and VOICE MAIL for UO .O
Come to the DERA omce at 425 Camll Street or phone us at 682-0931
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DERA has been sewing the Downtown Eastside for 28 years!
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CLASS WAR - AND THE GLACE BAY MINERS' MUSEUM "Thc Glacc Bay Mincrs' Muscum' is a two act play by Wcndy Lill,. bascd on a story by Shcldon Curric. It is a story about thc long, brutal cxploilalion of coal mincrs in Capc Breton. and thc strugglc of working pcoplc for dignity, Justicc and hopc. Thc pla?. ran at thc Havana Galler)./Thealrc on Conmicrcial Drivc from May 4-6 and fro111May 013, and it was dircctcd by Jay Harnbwgcr. Blcss vou, Jay. and Enmialcc Fiddy. Kcn RulTcllc, Rogcr Howic, Lcith Harris, Earl Waddcn. and all thc supporting pcople of Thcatrc in Thc Raw, for bringing this play to us during thc Mayworks Fcstival of Working Class Culturc and Politics. Thc story takcs placc in thc latc 1940's, but it spcaks dircctly to thc 1992 Wcstray Minc Disastcr in Nova Scotia whcrc twcnty-six mincrs wcrc killcd in an unsafe coal minc. It speaks, also, to thc dcaths of thc hundrcds upon hundrcds of nlcn and boys who dicd in thc Capc Brcton coal mincs during thcir long history. J.B. McLachlan, a Capc Brcton labour Icader, callcd thc cxploitation of mincrs "a continually long, drawn-out cannibalism that in the mad hunt for profits, sucks thc vcry life out of minc workers.'. (1) The characters in the play are of Scottish background. Scots arc no strangcrs to opprcsslon, cvcn as you who read this arc no stranger to oppression. Arc wc not conncctcd to the oppressed pcoplcs ofthc world through our rclativcs, our ancestors, and our own cxpcricnccs and nicniorics'? And Scots rcsistcd oppression, cvcn against thc Romans. Thcy fought the English, and lost thcir last armed uprising at the battle of Cullodcn in 1746. Aftcr that war thc British govcmicnt bcgan thc
systcniatic dcstn~ctionof highland socicty, including thc prohibition of traditional drcss (thc tartan) and thc supprcssion of thc Gaclic language. Scots wcrc pushcd ofI'thcir land to makc rooni for shccp. and thcy travcllcd thc world as rcfugccs and immigrants Scots camc to Nova Scotia. and many of thcm workcd in thc coal mincs. Thcy tricd to organizc unions to protect thcnisclvcs, and thcir unions wcrc crushcd bjp aniicd soldicrs. They continucd to fight. and cvcntually won thc right to organi~c. In this play. "Thc Glacc Bay Mincrs' Muscum,'* Margarct (played by Emmalee Fiddy) is a young woman longing for lifc undcr thc shadow of thc mincs. Hcr niothcr (playcd bl. Lcith Harris) is an cnibittcrcd woman \vho has lost a husband and son to thc mincs, and whosc fathcr (playcd b?. Rogcr Howic) is bcd-riddcn with lungs chokcd bvith coal dust. Margarct marrics a big nian (playcd by Kcn Ruffcllc) kvho knows Gaclic, has thc soul of a poct. and can play thc bagpipcs. Thcsc two lovc cacli othcr in a world of coal whcrc working pcoplc arc sccn only as work units Hon-cvcr. thc cxploitivc s ~ s t c mis strongcr than they arc. Margarct's husband is killcd in thc minc along with hcr sixtccn ycar old brothcr (playcd by Earl Waddcn), and hcr grandfather's pollutcd lungs givc out at thc sanic timc. It could bc that Margarct wcnt insanc with gricf. and shc did spcnd timc in a hospital. Aftcr all, wc livc in a prcdatory global cconomy whcrc sulTcring drivcs pcoplc c r a q fastcr than doctors can fix them up. Hut there is nicthod in Margaret's madness. If your purpose is to show thc horror and injusticc of coal mining for maximum profit, what bcttcr way than to start a lnuscuni that puts on display thc rcniains of human beings who had had so niuch lirc, and wcrc now dcad. Thc lungs of thc grandfather show thc dangcr of coal dust - a dmgcr thc company doctors dcnicd. Thc lungs, fingcrs and tonguc of thc husband rcmind us ofthc poctry and music ortliis visionary man. and of thc bcautirul rclationship bctwccn him and his wife - a rclationship that was destroyed by the cannibalisni of capital. Thc penis of thc boy, for at sixtccn hc was not yct a man, tclls us of thc promisc. hope and continuity of the lifc hc so dcsperatcly wantcd to livc, and was so brutally cndcd. All that lifc lost, so that thosc bvho owncd niuch could o n n
even more. Margaret's museum - The Glace Bay Miners' Museum - has much to teach us. 1 a h thanhhl to Jay Hamburger, to the wonderfully competent and sensitive actors, and to all the other menibers of Theatre in The Raw, for alloning us to see this play. There is a class war going on (2). and this \\ar will intensie now that Gordon Campbell is the Preniier of British Columbia. Corporations practice class politics all the time. They work for laws that will weaken trade unions, diminish unemployment insurance, reduce mini~numwage, cut back social programs. and rollback labour law protection for the rights of working people. "The Glace Bay Miners' Museum" is not a despairing play because Margaret, at a level deeper than rational consciousncss, turns grieving Into direct political action with the founding of her museuni Yes, there is enormous suffering in the play, but there is courage, perseverance, resourcefulness and -.--I --. . --- V . .
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Addiction is not just a drug problem (Vancouver) A new study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy AIbmatives says that the current debate about addiction is incomplete. Public debate about addiction prevention. treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement focuses only on drug addiction. without addressing the root causes of addiction. Bruce Alexander, author of the study and a professor of psychology at Simon Fraser UniversiQ. says that all forms of addiction are on the rise in Canada, not just drug addiction. "We talk about addiction in terms of drug use, but it really means any harmhl and compulsive behaviour that a person adopts as a substitute for healthy emotional and spiritual ties. Both drug and non-drug addiction arc increasing ever more rapidly." The stu*, called "The Roots of Addiction in Free Market Society." says that the precursor for addietion is what Alexander calls "dislocation." "People beconic addicted to harniful substances or behaviours when they are dislocated fro111the many intimate ties bet\veen people and groups--from the family to the spiritual community-that are essential for every person in every hpc of society." He argues that free markets produce widespread dislocation, and that as free market globalization speeds up. so
joy in spite of eveqthing. Cape Breton miners have been fighting injustice for two hundred years, and they will not give up, Just as First Nations people have been fighting injustice for centuries and will not give up. Even though the last Cape Breton coal mine is scheduled to close this year, 2001. the class war will continue until justice is done. That's the niessage of the Cape Breton miners to all the peoples of the world. B! SANDY CAMERON
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( I ) J.B. McLachlan - A Biography - Thc story of a Iegendarl\. labour leader and the Capc Breton coal miners. by David Frank. pub. by James Lorimer & Co.. 1999. page 56. (2) see Talunp Another Look At C k . by Sandy Cameron, pub. by the Carnegie Communitv Centre Association and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. B. C. Oflice. Should bc in the library. and also available from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. B.C. Office. #1400-207 W. Hastings St. Vancouver. B.C.. V6B 1H7: tel. (604) 801-6 12 1: fax: (604) 80 1 41 22.
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does the spread of dislocation and addiction. "Free markets disrupt the healthy integration that societ?. has built," sajs Alexander, "since traditional aspects of social integration such as community responsibilities, guild or union rights, c h a r i ~ .famil?, , obligations, social roles or religious values cannot get in the way of the 'free' market." He says that attempts to treat or prevent addiction that don't adequately address the connection between free markets. dislocation and addiction. and therefore will not stop the rapid rise of addiction. "Clearly we need humane approaches to addiction that involve more than law enforcement. But what we also need is to begin a realistic discussion of addiction that recogruzes that society. as well as individuals. must change. We need to move away from policies that undermine o w ability to care for one another, and build sustainable. healthy communities." The study is available from the Centre's wcbsite at \\u~v.poliqalternativcs.ca. To arrange an interview with Bruce Alesander, call Shannon at 604-801 -5 12 1
THE NEXT PUBLIC TRANSLINK MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY, JkJNE 6th, 11 :30am 4330 KINGSWAY (NEAR PATTERSON STATION). TransLink directors are appointed by their city councils but are unaccountable for and unelected to their positions at TransLid. The ordy opportunity for the public to hold Translid dlrcctors acountable is at their tnonthly "Committee of the Whole" meetings. To speak at these meetings you must sign up 5 business days in advance. TransLink has dug in its heels at the expense of riders. Because of their inaction, we experience (and they don't) *losing work because you can't get there. *losing daycare spots. *going into debt paying taxis. *missing medical appointments. *walking & biking great distances. *taking a risk and hitchhilung. *missing out on contact. TransLink is working to privatize ow transit system, and we end up paying for it with higher fares, less service and the bus drivers undermined by contracting out and part-time employ.ment Sign up to speak at the next TransLink meeting. Contact Linda McLevy, TransLink's acting corporate secretary PHONE: (604)453-4625 FAX: (604)453-4626
Come out in support of our demands: A comprehensive taxi-voucher system for low-income people starting today Take contracting out and part-timers off the bargaining table and an end to the strike with justice for Bus Drivers. Reverse the decision to cut bus service in June. More Buses, Lower Fares!
. For info: Bus Riders Union Transition G r o u ~ :604-255-1597 George Puil, TransLink Chair
Ron Wood
(Councillor. Vancouver) (604) 873-7249 fax: (604) 873-7750 e-mail. clrpuil@city.vancouver.bc ca
(Mayor, West Vancouver) Municipal Hall: (604) 925-7000 fax: (604) 925-5999 e-mail: rwood@westvancouver.net
Jennifer Clarke
Doug McCallum
(Counc~llor,Vancouver) (604) 873-7244 fax: (604) 873-7750 e-mail: clrclarke@city.vancouver.bc ca
(Mayor, Surrey) (604) 591-4126 fax: (604) 591-5175 e-mail. dwmccallum@city.surrey.bc,ca
Doug Drummond
Gordon Price
(Mayor, Burnaby) (604) 294-7340 fax: (604) 294-7724 e-mail: postmaster@city.burnaby.bc.ca
(Councillor, Vancouver) (604) 873-7243 fax: (604) 873-7750 e-mail. clrprice@city.vancouver.bc.ca
Marlene Grimmell
Helen Sparkes
(Mayor, Langley) City Hall. (604) 514-2800 fax: (604) 539-4481 e-mail. mayor@city.langley.bc.ca
(Mayor, New Westminster) (604) 527-4522 fax: (604) 527-4594 e-mail. hsparkes@city new-westminster.bc.ca
Marvin Hunt
Meghan Lahti
(Counc~llor,Surrey) (604) 591-4805 fax. (604) 591-4527 e-mail. jmhunt@city surrey.bc.ca
(Coupcillor, Port Moody) (604) 469-4501 fax: (604) 469-4550 e-mall: chris-leon@city.port-moody.bc.ca
Kiichi Kumagai
Don MacLean
(Councillor, Richmond) (604) 276-4134 fax. (604) 276-4222 ca e-mail kkumaga~@c~ty,richmond.bc
(Mayor, Pitt Meadows) (604) 465-2416 fax. (604) 465-2404 e-mail dmaclean@pittmeadows bc.ca