Next Week! Street Deaths are Preventable Deaths Week of Education and Action

Details: Published on Friday, 12 June 2015 14:45; Written by editor

On June 15 – 20, join us for a week of education and action to end poverty-related deaths in BC. Between 2006 and 2013, at least 281 people died on t

On June 15 – 20, join us for a week of education and action to end poverty-related deaths in BC.

Between 2006 and 2013, at least 281 people died on the streets in British Columbia. Due to under-reporting, that number is likely much much higher. Victoria has the highest number of street deaths per capita in BC. In a four month period, 30 people died on the streets of this city.

These deaths are preventable. Not only are there tangible causes, but viable solutions. We need adequate health services, social housing, and harm reduction services. We need all levels of government to commit to eliminating poverty and preventing street deaths. See below for event info - see you there!

Tuesday June 16th -- 4th Annual Convergence by and for people who use(d) illicit drugs

First Met Hall, 932 Balmoral, 9am – 3pm
open to people who use(d) illicit drugs

Wednesday June 17th -- Moving Forward: Public Forum on Supervised Consumption Services
6:30pm – 8pm, First Met Hall (932 Balmoral)
https://www.facebook.com/events/923047324427982/

Thursday June 18th -- ‘Death as a Social Justice Issue: Perspectives on Death and Dying on the streets of Victoria': panel discussion
2 - 4 pm, Central library Community Rm (735 Broughton)
https://www.facebook.com/events/871736626220774/

Friday June 19th -- ‘Street Deaths are Preventable Deaths’ Rally
Noon, Pandora@Quadra
https://www.facebook.com/events/1422872168035642/

We also encourage you to attend these other important events during this week:

Monday June 15th -- 'Stop cuts to refugee healthcare' Rally
Noon, Gov't and Wharf street (contact - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Thursday June 18th -- "After Protection: The Road to Citizenship for Refugees" forum
7pm, Central Library Community Room (732 Broughton)

More about the Wednesday night panel!
We’ve invited speakers to share with us what SCS could look like in Victoria. Come and join the conversation about how our communities can work together to support this essential health service. See you there!

Speakers:
Marianne Alto Councillor, City of Victoria & Director, CRD
Katie Lacroix Chair, yes2scs Peer Advisory Committee
Bernie Pauly Scientist, Centre for Addictions Research of BC
Bruce Wallace Assistant Professor, UVic School of Social Work

Moderated by Gregor Craigie of CBC’s On the Island

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More about the Thursday afternoon panel!

In 2014, a Megaphone report revealed that homelessness cuts an individual’s life expectancy in half. As part of the Street Deaths are Preventable Deaths week of action and education, panelists in this forum will offer the audience perspectives on death and dying on the streets of Victoria. These perspectives will include the situation ‘on the ground;’ barriers and facilitators to healthcare; and responses and strategies to improve quality of life for our community members.

While there is a tendency to put fault in the hands of the ‘at-risk’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘marginalized,’ this forum seeks to explore systemic inequities that create and maintain marginalization. We hope to move the issue of death and dying in this population beyond awareness and motivate the audience to be part of strategies for social change.

Join us in this important discussion!

Panelists:
Bernice Kamano, Aboriginal Coalition
Bernie Pauly, Centre for Addictions Research of BC
Bruce Wallace, Street Deaths are Preventable Deaths Campaign & UVic Faculty of Social Work
Grey Showler, Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT) & Cool Aid Community Health Centre
Kristen Kvakic, PORT & AIDS Vancouver Island
Yvette Ringham-Cowan, Cultural Safety Program, Island Health

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Thanks Terry Ducette for the pic!