Beirut Film Program 2011 - Burnet Institute

7International Drugs and Harm Reduction Film Festival 201116:40 Rig Dig (Canada)Length: 10 minutesLanguage: EnglishCountry focus: CanadaCountry of production: CanadaDirector: Tamara HermanProducer: Kirk Schwartz/MediaNetOrganisation: SOLID/Harm Reduction VictoriaEmail contact: tamaravherman@gmail.comAbstract: Every morning and evening, Mark and Dave take to the streets to do the “rig dig”. The “rig diggers” are past and present illicit drug users who collect discardedsyringes, distribute safer drug supplies and offer support to their peers. Since the only fixed-site needle exchange in the Canadian city of Victoria was evicted in May 2010, thetask of the “rig diggers” has become crucial. The “Rig Dig” film follows Dave and Mark as they navigate the city streets, voice their views on harm reduction and share theirstories.16:50 The Adventures of Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe (USA)Length: 13 minutesLanguage: English, Vietnamese and Russian (with English subtitles)Country focus: United States, Vietnam and RussiaCountry of production: USADirector: Walter SchlomannProducer: Open Society InstituteOrganisation: Better World AdvertisingEmail contact: carlosm@socialmarketing.comAbstract: The OST superhero duo fights stigma around the world and push for greater access to methadone and buprenorphine treatment programs.Worldwide, millions of people are in need of OST programs, but many countries limit or prohibit access. Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe travel to Russia, Vietnam andthe United States to expose injustices that prevent people from getting treatment that will help them lead longer, healthier and happier lives.17:05 Harm Reduction in São Paolo (Brazil)Length: 30 minutesLanguage: Portuguese (with English subtitles)Country focus: BrazilCountry of production: BrazilDirector: Carlos Eduardo Gomes e Eduardo JolyProducer: Carlos Eduardo Gomes e Eduardo JolyOrganisation: Olho de Boi e Programa Municipal de DST/AIDS de São PaoloEmail contact: olhodeboidoc@olhodeboidoc.com.brAbstract: An outline of the actions of agents of harm reduction in the City of São Paulo Program PRD Sampa. Users and agents confide how the relationship with drugs andwith the work on the streets of Brazil’s largest metropolis.17:35 Pappu Park (India)Length: 28 minutesLanguage: English and Hindi (with English subtitles)Country focus: IndiaCountry of production: IndiaDirector: Madan.S.Rajan/Anil Kumar KnProducer: Anil Kumar KnOrganisation: Sidestream CommunicationsEmail contact: rajanmadan2000@yahoo.com; rajanmadan2000@gmail.comAbstract: On the banks of the river Yamuna that flows beside Delhi is a locality called Yamuna Bazaar. Each day about 100 or more addicts congregate at a park here known asPappu Park. All of them are intravenous drug addicts who inject themselves with a mixture of Avil, Norphine and Diazepam. Due to their poor economic condition they shareneedles and syringes quite often and therefore constitute a high risk group with regard to the spread of HIV. Three years ago an NGO called Sahara intervened and beganoutreach operations which later spanned out into an outpatient care centre on location, a crisis centre for detoxification, a rehabilitation centre offering long term in housetreatment and care and finally a midway home that sets up reformed addicts with jobs. In these three years the intervention has had a significant impact and today nobodyshares needles at Pappu Park anymore. Counseling has also helped many turn around their lives.