Hello Harm Reduction Victoria and Beddow Centre (Victoria Harm Reduction Resource Centre Society) supporters!We invite you to take part in the first annual 'Greater Victoria Annual Anti-Stigma Week', Feb 7-14. This year's theme is 'Drug Use, Dignity and Human Rights.' Please see the HRV website (harmreductionvictoria.ca) or the attached event list for more information on all of the events taking place (also listed below). Please send this message on and bring your friends!! All events are free or by donation.
Greater
Victoria Anti-Stigma Week has been created by a collective of
individuals who seek to expose the impacts of stigma on the health and
well-being of our communities and transform stigma into dignity for all.
Anti-Stigma Week has been officially declared in the City of Victoria
as February 7-14, and this year's theme is 'Drug Use, Dignity and Human
Rights.'
Other Participants Include: The Committee to End Hom
elessness
in Victoria, PEERS, Society of Living
Intravenous Drug Users (SOLID), UVSS Harm Less Club, Vancouver Island
Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG), the Victoria Coalition Against
Poverty (VCAP), Faith in Action, Center for Addictions Research of
British Columbia (CARBC), and Our Place. - Media Advisory -
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
FIRST EVER ANTI-STIGMA WEEK LAUNCHED IN VICTORIA
Week-long series of events addresses stigma against people who use drugs and promotes human rights and dignity for all.
February 2, 2011, Victoria, Lekwungen and WSANEC territories- A collective of local individuals and groups will launch the first ever “Greater Victoria Anti-Stigma Week” from February 7th to February 14th. The goal of the week is to expose the impacts of stigma on the health and well being of our communities and transform stigma into dignity for all. Anti-Stigma Week has been officially declared by the City of Victoria and daily events throughout the week will reflect this year's theme of “Drug Use, Dignity and Human Rights.” A host of events will include panel discussions, film screenings, an art walk, and an anti-stigma vigil.
“Our hope is that this week will start the conversation around stigma and drug use in Victoria. Public engagement is crucial for understanding the dehumanizing effects of stigma, and for the full acknowledgement of human rights and dignity for all people in our city,” says organizer Philippe Lucas.
“People who use illicit drugs face incredible stigma and discrimination which stands as a barrier to accessing basic needs such as health care and housing,” states organizer Heather Hobbs. “We want people in Victoria to consider how their attitudes and actions impact the people that they see on the streets and get involved to transform stigma into actions that reflect a more engaged, open community.”
Participating organizations include: The Beddow Centre, the Committee to End Homelessness in Victoria, Harm Reduction Victoria, PEERS, Society of Living Intravenous Drug Users (SOLID), UVSS Harm Less Club, Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG), the Victoria Coalition Against Poverty (VCAP), Faith in Action, Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia (CARBC), and Our Place.
A full list of events is attached and is also posted at
www.harmreductionvictoria.ca. All events are free or by donation.