Community Discussion with Ann Livingston of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users
Wed. Feb. 1, 2012 7 p.m.
Carmichael Outreach Centre
1925 Osler Street, Regina
(right behind the Regina Inn)
Coffee and snacks provided

This Is Us presentation and video screening with Ann Livingston
Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 12:15 p.m.
The Language Institute Bldg., Room 215,
University of Regina

Background:
Ann Livingston is a v0lunteer and former Executive Director of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU). VANDU was the Respondent/Appellant on cross-appeal of the Supreme Court of Canada’s favourable ruling on the Insite Supervised Injection Centre in Vancouver. VANDU has brought power to the powerless and a measure of justice to what is a health issue, not a legal issue. Whether participating in the creation of VANDU or supervised injection sites, Ann’s philosophy is “Never ask permission. Do what you know to be right, do your research.”

Issue for Discussion:
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health HIV & AIDS Annual Report (November , 2011) states “From 2002 a steady upward trend has occurred in the rates of HIV cases reported in the province. The highest rates of new positive HIV cases from 2001-2010 have occurred in the past three years…” The report also states “While the national HIV rate has remained fairly stable over the last seven years, in 2006 Saskatchewan HIV rates surpassed the national rate for positive HIV case reports in Canada and have remained consistently higher than the national rate.” Saskatchewan’s rate is twice the national rate, with 75% of new infections associated with drug use. Saskatchewan faces the largest HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada. The question is, why is this so? What is specific to Saskatchewan that can be contributing to the HIV tragedy?