Homeless problem is too serious to ignore
Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,(RHCS), members receive Coquitlam's group Environmental award for 2008
A report: Regionalised tertiary psychiatric residential facilities (PDF) blah,blah,blah...
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 2008
New mental health facility a return to institutional care
Homeless problem is too serious to ignore
Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,(RHCS), members receive Coquitlam's group Environmental award for 2008
A report: Regionalised tertiary psychiatric residential facilities (PDF) blah,blah,blah...
Homeless problem is too serious to ignore
Riverview Horticultural Centre Society,(RHCS), members receive Coquitlam's group Environmental award for 2008
A report: Regionalised tertiary psychiatric residential facilities (PDF) blah,blah,blah...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Media for May
May 28: Keep Riverview as is, say B.C. chamber members
Chamber lobbies for Riverview lands
more bricks in the wall.
UBC Farm, is also under threat. Check out the FaceBook,(ack!) group: Save the UBC Farm
The Friends of the UBC Farm
The "Official" UBC Farm website
Read An article concerning the fate of UBC greenspace
----------
May 9, Globe & Mail
SAFE INJECTION SITE
Canada needs to show it cares about most vulnerable
Insite must stay open
SAM SULLIVAN, Mayor of Vancouver
You have all read about international surveys ranking Vancouver as one of the best places in the world to live, work and visit.
But for every one of those, you will also read about the social challenges of homelessness, drug addiction and mental health facing our city.
Recently, these issues have been raised in the context of the debate around Vancouver's safe-injection site (Insite) - the only one in North America. Some opponents have described Insite as a big party with free drugs. As mayor, I see it more like a palliative care facility.
Despite apparent reservations about the future of Insite, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government deserve credit for significant federal investments in drug treatment, prevention and mental health. Over $30-million will be allocated to Vancouver priorities thanks to these recent announcements.
These initiatives - combined with the B.C. government's leadership on social housing - have led to a renewed sense of hope that collaboration between all levels of government is a reality and a critical part of the solution for Vancouver. We are working hard to ensure new supportive housing investments meet local demand - recognizing that we have more than 3,000 units of social housing on the way for the 1,500 Canadians homeless on Vancouver streets.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is recognizing the Downtown Eastside as a national issue and charting a new course to help people suffering with the concurrent disorders of mental illness and drug addiction.
Among other things, we are promoting prevention, street outreach teams, innovative treatment options and community partnerships to help women get out of the survival sex trade.
In the fall, beds will start to reopen at the Riverview mental-health facility in Metro Vancouver. Canada's first Community Court will open this summer in the Downtown Eastside. And at the end of next month - Canada's operating permit for Insite expires.
The renewal of Insite is an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to compassion and listening to the "grassroots." The longer Insite remains open, the more our community supports it. In fact, some who were opposed to the site are now for it.
Failure to seize this opportunity will lead to more overdose deaths and infectious disease. A negative decision also has the potential to erode much of the goodwill generated by the recent actions I have described.
As Mayor of Vancouver, I have made it clear that I fully support the continuation of Insite - as much as I endorse the recent federal commitment to address concurrent disorders in Vancouver.
The bottom line is that Insite is part of the solution in Vancouver - not part of the problem. By working together and responding to local priorities we can deliver hope, collaboration and a civil city from the bottom up - not the top down.
We can show the world in 2010 how a civil society can care for some of its most vulnerable and marginalized peoples. It is a challenge I know Canada can live up to.
We won't have a second chance.
-----
The Clinical lab and consult services, consisting of 14 staff, moved last April to Oak House, part of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at Colony Farm. The were previously ensconced in North Lawn which is now totally uninhabited. They will continue to service Riverview Hospital from their new digs...
The Provincial heritage board, has declared Riverview Hospital as a heritage site. The City of Coquitlam, is still continuing to encourage the Federal government to also give the site heritage status. A brick at a time, will build the wall to preserve the site...
Chamber lobbies for Riverview lands
more bricks in the wall.
UBC Farm, is also under threat. Check out the FaceBook,(ack!) group: Save the UBC Farm
The Friends of the UBC Farm
The "Official" UBC Farm website
Read An article concerning the fate of UBC greenspace
----------
May 9, Globe & Mail
SAFE INJECTION SITE
Canada needs to show it cares about most vulnerable
Insite must stay open
SAM SULLIVAN, Mayor of Vancouver
You have all read about international surveys ranking Vancouver as one of the best places in the world to live, work and visit.
But for every one of those, you will also read about the social challenges of homelessness, drug addiction and mental health facing our city.
Recently, these issues have been raised in the context of the debate around Vancouver's safe-injection site (Insite) - the only one in North America. Some opponents have described Insite as a big party with free drugs. As mayor, I see it more like a palliative care facility.
Despite apparent reservations about the future of Insite, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government deserve credit for significant federal investments in drug treatment, prevention and mental health. Over $30-million will be allocated to Vancouver priorities thanks to these recent announcements.
These initiatives - combined with the B.C. government's leadership on social housing - have led to a renewed sense of hope that collaboration between all levels of government is a reality and a critical part of the solution for Vancouver. We are working hard to ensure new supportive housing investments meet local demand - recognizing that we have more than 3,000 units of social housing on the way for the 1,500 Canadians homeless on Vancouver streets.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is recognizing the Downtown Eastside as a national issue and charting a new course to help people suffering with the concurrent disorders of mental illness and drug addiction.
Among other things, we are promoting prevention, street outreach teams, innovative treatment options and community partnerships to help women get out of the survival sex trade.
In the fall, beds will start to reopen at the Riverview mental-health facility in Metro Vancouver. Canada's first Community Court will open this summer in the Downtown Eastside. And at the end of next month - Canada's operating permit for Insite expires.
The renewal of Insite is an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to compassion and listening to the "grassroots." The longer Insite remains open, the more our community supports it. In fact, some who were opposed to the site are now for it.
Failure to seize this opportunity will lead to more overdose deaths and infectious disease. A negative decision also has the potential to erode much of the goodwill generated by the recent actions I have described.
As Mayor of Vancouver, I have made it clear that I fully support the continuation of Insite - as much as I endorse the recent federal commitment to address concurrent disorders in Vancouver.
The bottom line is that Insite is part of the solution in Vancouver - not part of the problem. By working together and responding to local priorities we can deliver hope, collaboration and a civil city from the bottom up - not the top down.
We can show the world in 2010 how a civil society can care for some of its most vulnerable and marginalized peoples. It is a challenge I know Canada can live up to.
We won't have a second chance.
-----
The Clinical lab and consult services, consisting of 14 staff, moved last April to Oak House, part of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at Colony Farm. The were previously ensconced in North Lawn which is now totally uninhabited. They will continue to service Riverview Hospital from their new digs...
The Provincial heritage board, has declared Riverview Hospital as a heritage site. The City of Coquitlam, is still continuing to encourage the Federal government to also give the site heritage status. A brick at a time, will build the wall to preserve the site...
Friday, April 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Media for March
A report just released: Housing and Support for Adults With Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illnesses in British Columbia PDF in reviewing other articles from the authors, they appear to be highly critical of the downsizing of Riverview...
Other Ministry of Health publications available here
Nice letter to the Tri-City news; Premier needs lessons in history, philosophy
Somewhat related story, from Burnaby. Could Willingdon be sold for development
This property is also Provincially owned, by US.
Northwest transit route chosen by both Coquitlam ( couns. Asmundson, Stewart, MacDonell opposed ) and PoCo ( couns. Moore, Crowe opposed ) councils...Relieves a small amount of the pressure. Port Moody votes today,(Tuesday,March 11) they should fall in line.....Well they voted and it passed (couns. Mike Clay and Shannon Watkins opposed)
Other Ministry of Health publications available here
Nice letter to the Tri-City news; Premier needs lessons in history, philosophy
Somewhat related story, from Burnaby. Could Willingdon be sold for development
This property is also Provincially owned, by US.
Northwest transit route chosen by both Coquitlam ( couns. Asmundson, Stewart, MacDonell opposed ) and PoCo ( couns. Moore, Crowe opposed ) councils...Relieves a small amount of the pressure. Port Moody votes today,(Tuesday,March 11) they should fall in line.....Well they voted and it passed (couns. Mike Clay and Shannon Watkins opposed)
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Media for February 2008
Coquitlam NOW; Coleman denies new Riverview plansTri-City News; R'view dev't. fears fanned
Vancouver SUN, Letter; Reserve Riverview solely for two challenges
Article; A new breed of the mentally ill puts B.C. families near chaos
Letter to Editor, replying to these articles: Riverview is a perfect setting for mental health care
Face to Face: The Riverview Hospital grounds -- develop them or save them?
Preserve valuable piece of heritageGood plans for Riverview lands
Letter to Editor; Riverview expansion jeopardizes fish life Feb 20, 2008
Expansion, not downsizing, of Riverview Hospital Feb 20, 2008 Iain Black MLA
Possibility that Riverview may get some hard-core cases
Mentally ill to get 100 'stabilization' beds on Lower MainlandB.C. facility will treat those with mental illness and drug addictions
Mental-health advocate needed in Vancouver, says Deal
A long article from the Vancouver Courier;
Sanctuary of hope?
>>>>>> Translink route options have your say! <<<<<<
As part of the consultation process, Coquitlam has developed a newsletter outlining the route options, which will be available at all City facilities by Wednesday, February 20. As well, the newsletter content will be available online at the Coquitlam City website along with links to the TransLink site for additional background information. Port Moody
Port Moody Feedback
Port Coquitlam residents will have an opportunity to express their reviews on route choices during a public input session March 10.
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