a human experiment

lost. forsaken. neglected. abandoned. abused. discarded. disenfranchised. minimized. isolated. ostracized. forgotten. addicts.

people.

what have we learned from our history? as a people, at some point in time, each and every one of us has felt alone. yet, we allow others to continue to live in this wrenching loneliness. why?

it was only recently brought to my attention that there is a very progressive - and extremely controversial - human experiment going on in the east end of vancouver. insite is a provincially funded facility that provides clean and sterile rooms and needles for people to shoot up their drugs. on the second floor of that same building is onsite, a detox facility. the objective of this project is to enable what is known as "harm reduction"; if drug users are going to use, they should have access to clean and sterile equipment to prevent infection and the spread of disease.

this is not what many people might consider an aide to the reduction of drug use, but rather a tool to the perpetuation of the drug culture in western canada. you wouldn't be alone if you thought that. stephen harper thinks it. but, from the mouths of the clients themselves it is clear that this project prevents overdose, transmission of HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C, and empowers clients in even the most infinitesimal way.

the staff do not judge the clients, nor do they condemn them. they listen. they care. they inform. there is always a hope for a better life for all of them, when they might understand their worth, and their value. but, until then, this centre is a warm smile, a hot cup of coffee, and a safe place.

cbc news: the fifth estate filmed an exposing piece on the inner workings of insite, onsite, and the facility clients, called staying alive. i hope even one more person becomes informed, and subsequently inspired to action, whatever that action may be.