By Shaylee Pérez, Staff Reporter

“n Monday, May 4", a public On on the issue of harm reduction drug policies in Abbotsford was held at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium from 7—9:30 p.m.

The event was billed as “A Call to Action” yet was attended by very few in the public. The majority of those _ present hailed from the social service sector, with select members of City Council.

Harm reduction methods are seen in programs such as Insite, which helps minimize the health and safety consequences associated with drug addiction, while also reducing the amount of public disruption due to drug use on the street.

While utilized in Vancouver, a city with many of Abbotsford’s current problems, these methods are hamstrung in Abbotsford due to a 2005 zoning by-law amendment banning “needle exchanges, safe-injection sites, mobile dispensing vans, methadone treatment facilities and other types or similar uses.”

While many doubt and protest Insite’s ability to help, it has the backing of the scientific and medical community as seen in the attendance of Dr. Daryl Plecas, Royal Canadian

Mounted Police research chair and chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University College of the Fraser Valley, who firmly propounded Abbotsford’s need for a needle exchange and safe injection site. Others in attendance included Mayor Peary, who opened the forum,

Bob Rich, Abbotsford Police chief constable, Sherry Mumford, manager of Fraser Health Regional Addictions, Leighton Johnston, Corrections Services Canada, Parole, and Pam Willis, executive director, Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley. Chief Constable Rich agreed with

Mayor Peary’s sentiment that the time has come for Abbotsford’s problems to be addressed and stated the need for more police training. He also shared enlightening statistics indicating that one out of every five calls for Abbotsford patrol police officers are a result of a mental health disorder, comparative to one out of every three police calls in Vancouver.

Another comment of note came from Liz Evans, executive director, Portland Hotel Society, an organization that provides permanent accommodation for adults with drug addictions and mental illnesses while also offering a variety of other support services such as on-site nursing staff.

Evans, a nurse herself, has worked in the DTES for the last 18 years. She expressed disbelief that such a by- law could exist, and spoke about the four pillars: prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction. She opined that if harm reduction, a key pillar, was missing from this equation, there was no point in moving forward.

While the by-law was the main focus, other obstacles discussed were funding, training, and the need for public awareness, as seen in the banner “A Call to Action.”

No formal decisions were made on reversing the by-law.

Vancouver congestion in 2010: what will it mean for commuters?

By Will McGrogan, News Editor

s 2010 draws nearer and Az when thousands upon thousands of people will

descend on the Greater Vancouver area to watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games, many Vancouver students and workers are wondering what this means for their commute.

According to olympichostcity. vancouver.ca, reducing congestion is not only a weight that must be carried by city officials, but by all Vancouverites. According to the site, be prepared to encounter “rush hour conditions and parking restrictions 24 hours a day” during the course of the games. Residents are also repeatedly advised to avoid driving, and instead should opt to walk, use public transit or ride a bicycle, making sure to leave the house or workplace early to avoid getting caught in the crowds.

In addition, the website advises to be prepared for major road closures to ensure that Olympic vehicles and pedestrians can safely and quickly move about the city. Several “Olympic Lanes” have been created, which

will only allow Olympic vehicles to enter. Burrard Street, Seymour Street and Cambie Street, among others, have been designated as Olympic Lanes. However, public transit is also permitted access to these roads, in the hopes that buses will ease congestion. Granville, Hamilton, Beatty and Robson will also be shut down to vehicles, although will still remain open exclusively to pedestrians. Taxis and limousines will also be given specific zones at venues to which they are supposed to drop off passengers, although they are not permitted use of Olympic Lanes either.

Finally, frequent car commuters will see a restriction placed upon parking. Parking at Olympic venues is flat-out forbidden, so those who want to drive and see the games must plan an alternative route. Otherwise, drivers are encouraged to find alternate parking and are cautioned that there will be an effect similar to a perpetual rush hour. The City is still in the process of

providing additional parking areas, with tt

more information to come in the future. Will these new changes work? It is far too early to tell at this point.

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The most that students and commuters can hope for is that other people abide by the restrictions and do their part

to make the city less congested for everyone.