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

A Case Study of Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU)
a day on cocaine is so profound that we desperately need folks who can provide
more input. They’ve also been good about welcoming people into the scene.
Media, academics, any one who wants to come and try and understand the
situation. They’ve been key to public education. ‘You want to know? Come on
down and we’ll show you’.” VANDU has also on occasion given vital feedback
to researchers and public health officials on studies and services by providing
“rich” descriptions that are rooted in the culture and social organizations of the
drug-using community. VANDU is, however, in this regard and beyond, an
under-utilized resource. As researcher Sam Friedman noted, “users’ groups can
provide social and epidemiological intelligence about developments in the social
organization of drug use and in risk and protective behaviours that alert
authorities and/or researchers about situations that can lead to epidemic
outbreaks before they occur.” 6 Several university students have spent time at
VANDU in an effort to gain more experience “on the ground.” VANDU
members have volunteered time to help organize and speak at various
conferences and symposia on injection drug use in Vancouver, including “Out of
Harm’s Way” (1999) and “Keeping the Door Open: Health, Addictions and Social
Justice” (2000). They have also made presentations at several national and
international conferences, including the 2000 International Harm Reduction
Conference held in New Delhi, India.
25