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

A Case Study of Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU)
because it is rational and passionate. If there was not VANDU, then how would the IDU
community communicate? They would suffer a lot.”
VANDU organizes and participates
in peaceful marches and demonstrations
in order to draw the attention
of health policy makers to the problems
of illicit drug use. Indeed, one service
provider noted: “I just think of some of
the fabulous demonstrations they put
on, marching into City Hall, the 2000
crosses that were erected in
Oppenheimer Park. It had nurses in
tears, it was incredibly moving.”
VANDU members provide direct advice to local and federal government departments
on programs for injection drug users. Vancouver’s Drug Policy Coordinator
notes: “They are definitely an ally. It’s helpful to have a fairly large, well organized
group of individuals supporting our initiatives, saying ‘yes, this would help’.” In
referring to VANDU’s role at a recent conference on drug use in Vancouver, a funder
noted: “VANDU contributed a lot to that conference, the reality of it.”
Public education was also identified as a primary role for VANDU in the
community. Several persons interviewed mentioned the role VANDU had played in
changing people’s perceptions about drug users. A funder noted that “VANDU has
helped a lot of people erase the stereotypes,” and described the experience of having a
VANDU member on the conference organizing committee: “People on the board started
seeing [name removed] as a person rather than just a drug user.”
31