VANDU - Genesis, Evolun, Org Struct, Activities - 2001.pdf

A Case Study of Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU)
The mission statement of VANDU is as follows:
The Vancouver Area Network of
Drug Users (VANDU) is a group of users
and former users who work to improve the
lives of people who use illicit drugs through
user-based peer support and education. The
population we serve includes people in the
Downtown Eastside who self-identify as
drug users, people on methadone, and street
users of prescription drugs. Many VANDU
members have HIV/AIDS, most have hepatitis C, and many are from a multicultural
background. The health of our participants is enhanced by including
users and former users in decision-making and task fulfilling opportunities which
build self-esteem, trust, informal networks of support, and a sense of community.
We advocate for “harm reduction” services for people who use drugs. VANDU is
a voice for users in the community to aid in the reduction of overdose deaths and
the spread of disease.
VANDU’s stated objectives are:
• To provide an organized user response to issues on the street as they develop; so
far, these issues include overdose death prevention, housing, police violence,
methadone treatment, hospital problems, and access to training;
• To aid users in the creation of and participation in the communities in which
they live in such a way as to continually improve the skills and quality of life to
the users involved, and to educate professionals involved in providing services
to people who use drugs;
• To identify issues facing users weekly, discussing and analyzing these issues,
and planning actions to stop overdose deaths and the spread of HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis, and other infectious diseases;
15