For immediate release – Monday, September 15, 2008
Milk and Cookies Not The Problem in Downtown Eastside
Jang, Reimer, and Dhaliwal slam Peter Ladner's attack on harm reductionVancouver, BC – Dr. Kerry Jang, Andrea Reimer, and Kashmir Dhaliwal today called for Peter Ladner to come clean on his position on harm reduction. Jang, Reimer, and Dhaliwal , who are seeking Vision Vancouver’s nomination for city council, were responding to a recent posting by NPA mayoral hopeful Peter Lander asked in his September 10 blog “… Are we killing our addicted neighbours with kindness?”
In his blog posting, Ladner raises the question of whether harm reduction is appropriate after describing a “vociferous” encounter with a Davie Street resident who was fed up with the Downtown Eastside Youth Action Society (DEYAS) van pulling up in front of his apartment and handing out needles, condoms, cookies and milk to addicts.
“After six years on council, you’d think Councillor Ladner would know that free milk and cookies are not the problem in the downtown eastside. In fact these services and the provision of condoms and clean needles that prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis are saving lives and many future health care dollars,” said Andrea Reimer.
“Outreach services are the first step to kicking the habit by providing the first point of direct contact with health care workers. Outreach workers also helps fill a valuable primary care role by provide first aid which takes the pressure off hospital emergency rooms. DEYAS’ outreach have place over 300 clients into detox per year and its needle exchange services over 6000 clients per year. When their services were downsized to 2 workers, within the first 2 months, 7 youths died in the Stanley Hotel. Outreach doesn’t kill, it saves lives” said Dr. Kerry Jang.
“Does Peter Lander support needle exchanges and other harm reduction programs? Where was he when City funding for outreach services was cut? By his own words, Peter Lander doesn’t understand the downtown east side and Vancouver’s addiction problems -- maybe he just doesn’t want to” said Kashmir Dhaliwal.
For more information please contact:
Kerry Jang
Website: www.kerryjang.ca
Phone: 778-229-6569
Email: kerryjang@shaw.ca
Andrea Reimer
Website: www.andreareimer.ca
Phone: 604-719-3920
Email: andrea@andreareimer.ca
Kashmir Dhaliwal
Website: www.kashmirdhaliwal.ca
Phone: 778-881-4216
Email: info@kashmirdhaliwal.ca