Sharing Session- 17 th Annual International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm

1. Sharing Session- 17th Annual International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm NIGERIA BRAZIL PAKISTAN CANADA

2. Background • Organized by the International Harm Reduction Association. • The first conference was held in 1990 in Liverpool. • The 17th international Conference was attended by over 1500 people from over 94 countries. The Conference was last for five days from 30th April to 4th of May, 2006.

3. Theme: Here and NowThe PEER Conference • Protection • Empowerment • Equality • Respect

4. Major Themes • Participation of Drug User • Youth • Human Right to access health service and maintain healthy life • Law Enforcement

5. Participation of Drug User • People who use drugs were part of every component of the conference, from the organizing committee to the plenary speakers and chairpersons, Film Fest and Reporter Team.

6. Youth Participation • Emphasize to work closely with young people to ensure the service are meaningful to young people • In the closing session, youth from various countries, like China, Brazil and Canada conduct a presentation on the program designed by and for youth in various cultural contexts.

7. Human Rights • Many topics were focused on human rights for people who use drugs. • Conference participants were reminded that drug treatment and medical care are a right for all people who use drugs. • The Conference urged for adequate access for drug user to use health service because drug user also have the right of every person to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health.

8. Law Enforcement • Punitive policing strategies directly and indirectly affect the health of people who use drugs and their access to harm reduction services • In fact there is room for co-operating with criminal justice system in harm reduction practice • E.g. Vancouver police advocating for normalization of Cannabis and INSITE

9. Special Population • Mothers who use drugs • Sex workers • Youth • Displaced populations due to complex emergencies, migration, gentrification, colonization • HIV+ people who use drugs

10. Some Highlights • VANDU :http://www.vandu.org -The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) was formed in January 1998 in Vancouver, BC, to bring together people who use heroin and cocaine. -Alley patrols -After-hours toilets -not only service but also advocacy • Sheway : http://www.vnhs.net/programs/sheway.htm -Pregnancy Outreach Program -Service for pregnant women and women with infants

11. Some Highlights • HVC -HIV IDU HCV -Working with intermediaries • Safe Injection House -Data from Vancouver, Norway and Australia showed that safe injection sites have been associated with reductions in needle sharing, public injecting and increased referrals to drug treatment • Overdose Response Policy -fear of charge -Police practice harm reduction -cooperation with Ambulance Service -redefine when the police attend

12. In Conclusion…. “Conferences are only as good as what comes before and what comes after” –Sue Currie

13. NATIONAL ROLLESTON AWARD 2006 “For those who are making an OUTSTANDING contribution to Harm Reduction locally”