Anonymous donors ♥ harm reduction

Mayor Sam Sullivan says another donor has come forward offering to fund a drug harm reduction program in the city.

Sullivan said a “non-local” donor has offered $100,000. It’s in addition to previous offerings of more than $500,000, which the mayor revealed last month amidst some controversy.

He had announced he would risk his political career to promote a program that would provide drugs for addicted prostitutes.

“I was worried the media attention might have dissuaded him but [the donor] is still committed,” Sullivan said in a recent interview.

Opposition city councillors have accused Sullivan of being reckless with his drug policies, challenging the mayor to put his drug plans in writing. But Sullivan said he’s merely advocating for a plan.

“I’m trying to move forward on issues that have been scientifically proven to reduce crime and public disorder,” he said.

Either way, the more than $600,000 the mayor has now apparently been offered for harm reduction programs may be more symbolic than substantive.

“These types of programs are expensive,” said Donald MacPherson, the city’s drug policy coordinator. “It’s a good start, but you want to think of sustainability when you’re designing programs.”

At this amount, MacPherson said the money is more likely to be leverage when lobbying other levels of government for funding.

Meanwhile, the RCMP announced yesterday there will be no criminal charges against Sullivan after he admitted to giving money for drugs to an addicted friend. Vancouver’s police chief had requested the RCMP investigation after Sullivan took office last fall.

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Tags: vancouver, sam sullivan, harm reduction