History & Mandate of the BC-Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors
With a membership comprised of user groups and drug users’ activists, the Association was formed at the Pacific Summit on Drug User Health, held in Vancouver in June 2009. With funding from the Vancouver Foundation, the Summit brought together over 100 drug users from BC and the Yukon, as well as non-user volunteers and profession
als to unite & empower former and current users of illegal drugs. The Association structure ensures representation from: Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, Northern Health, and Vancouver Island Health, as well as the Yukon. To realize, deepen and share the love, camaraderie, and wisdom found in drug user support groups
3. To empower people who currently use drugs deemed illegal to survive and to thrive, with their human rights respected and their voices heard
4. To improve the quality of life for people who use illicit drugs by developing and implementing educational programs and training events that ensure learning opportunities about safer drug use and harm reduction
5. To establish an inclusive social justice network for people who use(d) drugs that encourages, supports and welcomes drug users from across British Columbia and connects them with drug user networks across BC, across Canada, and around the world
6. To develop networks and coalitions of informed and empowered people, both users and nonusers, which work to improve the health and social conditions of people who use illicit drugs
7. To promote a better public understanding of the problems and dilemmas facing people who use(d) illegal drugs and thus encourage the development of saner drug policies and laws at local, regional and national levels
8. To ensure that the voices of people who use(d) illicit drugs are strengthened and empowered so that their concerns about social, medical and economic issues can be heard by policy makers, service providers, and the public at large
The BCYADWS’ board of directors has representation from across BC but each BCYADWS chapter operates with as much autonomy as possible, electing steering committees and working groups. see Notes for BCYADWS Bylaws
