Thursday, August 25, 2011
World renowned researcher visits Calgary
Dr. Frank Plummer, a world renowned HIV/AIDS researcher as well as the Chief Science Advisor and Scientific Director General of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg, delivered an exciting presentation at the University of Calgary on June 3, 2011. His talk, entitled “Slowness to integrate science into HIV prevention policy,” covered his HIV research work in Africa over the past 25 years. ACAA volunteer blog writer Shweta Sah had a chance to listen to Dr. Plummer's lecture and speak with him regarding his research.
Ground-breaking discovery in Africa
Dr. Plummer is best known for his discovery of a subset of Kenyan sex trade workers who are naturally resistant to HIV. He commenced a study of 500 sex trade workers in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in the late 1980s which helped disseminate the notion that HIV/AIDS was not just a homosexual disease, as approximately two thirds of the study participants (mostly women) were HIV positive. Although establishing that women could in fact be infected by the virus through vaginal intercourse was certainly a key finding, what was more remarkable was the discovery Dr. Plummer made regarding the other third of the study’s populous.
While typically belonging to a high risk vulnerable population, HIV negative individuals from this particular group of sex workers displayed a natural resistance to HIV-1. Moreover, a cohort study conducted in Nairobi showed that the percentage of HIV seroconversion (detection of specific antibodies against HIV antigens) was highest amongst sex workers who did not use condoms versus those who used condoms 100% of the time. This meant that despite engaging in high risk behaviour (i.e. unprotected sex) members of this Nairobi sex worker population with a natural resistance to HIV were less susceptible to contracting the virus than those who practiced safer sex vigilantly. This was a very crucial finding, as gaining insight into the cause and nature of HIV-1 resistance displayed by these Kenyan sex workers could serve as a stepping stone into the future development of an effective vaccine against HIV.
What leads to immunity in the Kenyan sex workers?
These Kenyan sex workers have a quiescent immune system; they produce less activated T-cells (cells that produce antibodies to fight against HIV antigens) and less cytokines (group of proteins that interact with cells of the immune system and regulate the body's response to disease and infection). This leads to a suppressed immune system. Given the fact that HIV requires a healthy and active immune system to infect the host cells, the retrovirus fails to flourish, reproduce and replicate in an inactive immune system.
Safety measures suggested by the expert
Dr. Plummer suggests mandatory safer sex education at the school and community level, and following HIV prevention strategies. Also, keeping oneself updated with current world health policies and procedures are the key factors that will help reduce the HIV epidemic on a greater scale.
Obstacles along the way - How best to coordinate science and policy
The main hurdle preventing the implementation of key policy initiatives to address the HIV pandemic is the slow rate at which it takes scientific data regarding the spread of the virus to be accepted by mainstream society and integrated into the existing knowledge base. For instance, it took 2 years for the general public to accept that women could become infected with HIV through vaginal intercourse, and 19 years to gain mainstream acceptance of the notion that male circumcision reduces HIV transmission risk. Overall, Dr. Plummer really articulated the notion that knowledge translation takes time and people are naturally sceptical of new scientific developments. Poor understanding of science and issues by leaders due to political, scientific and public health issues are other contributing factors.
Why was Dr. Plummer interested in HIV research in Africa?
Africa is the most affected nation in the world with HIV/AIDS. Estimates show that 22.5 million people are still living with HIV across the continent - two thirds of the global total. Therefore, increasing death rates automatically become a huge concern, and is what primarily compelled Dr. Plummer to carry out his work in Africa. In the long run, he continues to conduct research in Africa with the hopes of understanding and one day halting the pandemic, which will contribute to the welfare of our society as a whole.
A final key message from the expert
For the future of HIV research, he states, “Keep doing the research and one day we shall find the solution”.
Resources:
1. http://www.cestmajournee.gc.ca/itsmyday/inside/profiles/frankplummer.asp
2. http://www.science.ca/scientists/scientistprofile.php?pID=402
3. http://www.chrcrm.org/en/future-health/public-health-researcher-extraordinaire-meet-dr-frank-plummer
4. http://www.mrsi.ca/plummerlab.htm
5. http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-africa.htm
6. http://www.catie.ca/eng/Home.shtml
7. http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/
This article was written by Shweta Sah, an AIDS Calgary Awareness Association (ACAA) volunteer blog writer. Shweta is a 1st year M.Sc. Medicine student in the University of Calgary. This is Shweta’s second blog article for ACAA, click here to view her previous article Ground Breaking Research at University of Calgary. This blog was originally posted on The A Work on August 18, 2011 at http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sex trade in the mainstream – not as clear as it may look
It's easy to define sex trade on the street. People seem often too eager to point out the girl standing on the corner of a street dressed in a mini skirt and high heels and say, "there it is! She's the one, the prostitute. And there’s her pimp!" Usually a man that collects the money she makes for trading a sexual experience for cash. Or maybe you see a young guy on the corner scantily clad and think the same thing?
Okay, do we all agree now that a prostitute is our label for a person selling sex for a price? Can you also agree that a pimp is a person who collects this money? It seems fairly cut and dry, and easy to be honest, with these as answers.
I'd like to challenge your thinking now. Perhaps ruffle some feathers along the way too. It's not my intention to hurt anyone, far from it. I just want to help us keep it real folks, and call a spade a spade.
Does sex trade work occur on the job you work at? Are you a part of it? Could you admit it if you were? Would you? What parts have you played in it? Pimp? Prostitute? Recruiter? Body guard? Something else?
I will be honest with you and admit that at one time or another I have been party to all of the above in some way, shape or form.
It's not as easy to realize sex trade work in main stream society, but it's there folks, and it goes on every day, without a track or a massage parlor.
There's the corporate sex trade, or white collar. In some companies, it's really easy to see it. Someone screws their way up the corporate ladder. Other staff members may resent it. They know they are doing a job to get paid, and doing it well, but they never get the promotions or bonuses. The sex worker gets them instead. She or he does the sex work for the price of a promotion or bonuses.
Then there's blue collar sex trade, and I've seen a lot of it in bars and restaurants. The bikini waitress is a sex trade worker. She serves her customers half naked, but she gets the same wage as a clothed waitress. Maybe you think she’s sold her selfworth from the start? Does she realize it though? I doubt it, not consciously anyway.
Then there's the belly dancer. A very sexual act for money it may seem. She works in restaurants and bars, and gets paid cash. Not much different from a strip tease, only she keeps on a little more clothing. Still, it is what it is folks. A sexual act for a price. Sex trade.
Then there's the "sugar coated" sex trade work. I am presently working in an establishment where the manager is having sex with the owner (a married man with kids). His wife doesn't know it though. The manager even goes on vacation with his wife and kids. I guess that's her payment, or price. What other profits she gets form it I don't know.
Well, this sex trade in society does happen a lot. I see it often. Does it happen at your place of employment? Does it matter to you?
- Lady Love
(This article was written by a Shift Engagement Project volunteer. To learn more about the Shift Engagement Project, drop us a line at 403.237.8171 or email info@shiftcalgary.org
You can also find more information on the project in our April 2011 submission here: http://shiftcalgary.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-shift-engagement-project.html)
Okay, do we all agree now that a prostitute is our label for a person selling sex for a price? Can you also agree that a pimp is a person who collects this money? It seems fairly cut and dry, and easy to be honest, with these as answers.
I'd like to challenge your thinking now. Perhaps ruffle some feathers along the way too. It's not my intention to hurt anyone, far from it. I just want to help us keep it real folks, and call a spade a spade.
Does sex trade work occur on the job you work at? Are you a part of it? Could you admit it if you were? Would you? What parts have you played in it? Pimp? Prostitute? Recruiter? Body guard? Something else?
I will be honest with you and admit that at one time or another I have been party to all of the above in some way, shape or form.
It's not as easy to realize sex trade work in main stream society, but it's there folks, and it goes on every day, without a track or a massage parlor.
There's the corporate sex trade, or white collar. In some companies, it's really easy to see it. Someone screws their way up the corporate ladder. Other staff members may resent it. They know they are doing a job to get paid, and doing it well, but they never get the promotions or bonuses. The sex worker gets them instead. She or he does the sex work for the price of a promotion or bonuses.
Then there's blue collar sex trade, and I've seen a lot of it in bars and restaurants. The bikini waitress is a sex trade worker. She serves her customers half naked, but she gets the same wage as a clothed waitress. Maybe you think she’s sold her selfworth from the start? Does she realize it though? I doubt it, not consciously anyway.
Then there's the belly dancer. A very sexual act for money it may seem. She works in restaurants and bars, and gets paid cash. Not much different from a strip tease, only she keeps on a little more clothing. Still, it is what it is folks. A sexual act for a price. Sex trade.
Then there's the "sugar coated" sex trade work. I am presently working in an establishment where the manager is having sex with the owner (a married man with kids). His wife doesn't know it though. The manager even goes on vacation with his wife and kids. I guess that's her payment, or price. What other profits she gets form it I don't know.
Well, this sex trade in society does happen a lot. I see it often. Does it happen at your place of employment? Does it matter to you?
- Lady Love
(This article was written by a Shift Engagement Project volunteer. To learn more about the Shift Engagement Project, drop us a line at 403.237.8171 or email info@shiftcalgary.org
You can also find more information on the project in our April 2011 submission here: http://shiftcalgary.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-shift-engagement-project.html)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Say yes to harm reduction - An editorial response to the Calgary Sun
On Wednesday, August 3rd the Calgary Sun posted an article addressing Alberta Health Services' harm reduction programs in Calgary. As a supporter of harm reduction, we at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association felt it necessary to defend harm reduction principles and have created an editorial response to their recent article. We have also posted the Calgary Sun’s article below our response.
Letter to the Editor: Calgary Sun
Re: Thinking a helping hand will get users to drop the rock is ‘nonsense’, August 3, 2011
The effectiveness and the intention behind harm reduction is an extremely misunderstood, stigmatized and often misconstrued ideal. However, there is a mountain of evidence which supports that harm reduction practices have greatly reduced the spread of infections, saves lives and is ultimately far more cost effective than providing treatment through our national health care.
The fundamental idea behind harm reduction is not the intention to enable drug users to further their addictions, but instead, to reduce the transmission of blood borne pathogens such as Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV.
A recent example of the effectiveness of harm reduction practices is Vancouver’s safe injection site InSite. InSite uses a health focused approach to providing injection drug users a safe environment to inject drugs while providing access to health care services. By providing access to health care and treatment services through harm reduction programing, studies have shown this can actually encourage reducing drug use and/or instigate quitting. Through the InSight website there are numerous scientific studies available which support this and other harm reduction findings.
Overall, harm reduction is a way to work with people who use drugs and has shown to reduce the negative effects of drug use. We have to recognize that abstinence and quitting are not always options for some individuals. Providing these individuals with items like needles, crack pipes and condoms only protect them and others from contracting or transmitting HIV/HCV; a much smaller price to pay than taxing our already over saturated health care system.
- AIDS Calgary Awareness Association
This blog was originally posted August 4, 2011 on AIDS Calgary's The A Word http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/
Thinking a helping hand will get users to drop the rock is ‘nonsense’, August 3, 2011
Nadia Moharib Calgary Sun
"Whether it’s needles, condoms or crack pipes, officials doling out tools of the trade is tantamount to giving up on those battling addictions.
Unless the effort goes beyond simply enabling, it risks being a short-term, simplistic and flawed solution in lieu of one which works.
Retired Calgary police drug expert Pat Tetley says giving crack pipes to addicts is “an admission we have failed in harm reduction and perpetrating the offence.”
It is, he says, “nonsense.”
Alberta Health officials disagree and have, thousands of times, demonstrated that position by distributing free pipes quietly in recent years.
They insist the so-called harm-reduction tactic doesn’t simply stop when one is in hand but is an olive branch to ideally lead an addict to help in kicking the habit.
They can’t scientifically measure the program’s success but are certain it works.
Perhaps they don’t have empirical evidence because it doesn’t work.
The program is not unlike needle parks which, albeit well-intentioned, simply ghettoize addicts.
Rather than putting them on a solid path to recovery, it allows them to wallow and waste away quietly, far from a sober society not wanting to see the ugliness of an addiction left to fester.
They might as well load the pipes with crack, too.
‘MJ’ MacLeod, a Calgary psychologist, was speechless when asked to weigh in on the program she was shocked to learn exists.
“You’re not serious?” she asked.
She says harm reduction can be beneficial in some scenarios, but runs the risk of endorsing drug use — “on some level, making it OK.”
Backing the concept of reaching out to addicts, she doubts a viable plan would include pushing pipes.
“Giving hope there is help is a great idea, but going to the extent of handing out crack pipes — I don’t think so,” she says.
Neal Berger, Cedars at Cobblie Hill’s executive director, says the program is nothing more than “palliative care,” for addicts in need of cures.
It is “exceptionally naive,” to think a viable escape plan includes a clean pipe and short-term support, he says.
Rather than smoke-and-mirror solutions, he says, they need residential treatment and years of support.
“To suggest this is any part of a treatment continuum is absurd,” he says from the B.C.-based addictions treatment centre frequented by Calgarians who can afford the out-of-pocket cost.
“It will likely make it worse, not better. The reality is, it gives further licence to it. I would not want to be the person who provided the pipe which results in someone doing brain damage.”
Tetley, a drug expert for 15 years with city police, is disgusted by the initiative.
While there are several viable ways to beat crack addictions — like intensive treatment, jail, police efforts to dry up the market and death — none include passing out pipes, he says.
“It’s just ridiculous, it’s not even putting a Band-Aid on Niagara Falls,” he says.
“Passing out a crack cocaine pipe to a crack user is like passing a joint around.”
While Calgary clinical psychologist Glen Edwards concedes the pipes might mitigate some associated health concerns, he worries it might stop short of education and support people need to successfully fight addictions.
“If it’s the only thing we do it’s only harm reduction, not helping them with their illness,” he says. “Harm reduction doesn’t treat addiction, it reduces harm only.”
Police association president John Dooks scoffs at the idea fearing it pitches addicts deeper into the drug world, many relying on crime to feed an addiction.
“Are we not enabling addicts and worse yet, making it easier for traffickers to market their drugs?” he asks.
Over the years addicts who languished on long wait lists have complained about how tough it is to get meaningful help for addictions in this city.
Health officials would do better to focus on real solutions rather than the pipe-dream that free drug paraphernalia is a good plan.
The bottom line is, handing out pipes means promoting the use of crack cocaine to the very people trying to escape its clutches — something health officials should put in their figurative pipe …and smoke
Letter to the Editor: Calgary Sun
Re: Thinking a helping hand will get users to drop the rock is ‘nonsense’, August 3, 2011
The effectiveness and the intention behind harm reduction is an extremely misunderstood, stigmatized and often misconstrued ideal. However, there is a mountain of evidence which supports that harm reduction practices have greatly reduced the spread of infections, saves lives and is ultimately far more cost effective than providing treatment through our national health care.
The fundamental idea behind harm reduction is not the intention to enable drug users to further their addictions, but instead, to reduce the transmission of blood borne pathogens such as Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV.
A recent example of the effectiveness of harm reduction practices is Vancouver’s safe injection site InSite. InSite uses a health focused approach to providing injection drug users a safe environment to inject drugs while providing access to health care services. By providing access to health care and treatment services through harm reduction programing, studies have shown this can actually encourage reducing drug use and/or instigate quitting. Through the InSight website there are numerous scientific studies available which support this and other harm reduction findings.
Overall, harm reduction is a way to work with people who use drugs and has shown to reduce the negative effects of drug use. We have to recognize that abstinence and quitting are not always options for some individuals. Providing these individuals with items like needles, crack pipes and condoms only protect them and others from contracting or transmitting HIV/HCV; a much smaller price to pay than taxing our already over saturated health care system.
- AIDS Calgary Awareness Association
This blog was originally posted August 4, 2011 on AIDS Calgary's The A Word http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/
Thinking a helping hand will get users to drop the rock is ‘nonsense’, August 3, 2011
Nadia Moharib Calgary Sun
"Whether it’s needles, condoms or crack pipes, officials doling out tools of the trade is tantamount to giving up on those battling addictions.
Unless the effort goes beyond simply enabling, it risks being a short-term, simplistic and flawed solution in lieu of one which works.
Retired Calgary police drug expert Pat Tetley says giving crack pipes to addicts is “an admission we have failed in harm reduction and perpetrating the offence.”
It is, he says, “nonsense.”
Alberta Health officials disagree and have, thousands of times, demonstrated that position by distributing free pipes quietly in recent years.
They insist the so-called harm-reduction tactic doesn’t simply stop when one is in hand but is an olive branch to ideally lead an addict to help in kicking the habit.
They can’t scientifically measure the program’s success but are certain it works.
Perhaps they don’t have empirical evidence because it doesn’t work.
The program is not unlike needle parks which, albeit well-intentioned, simply ghettoize addicts.
Rather than putting them on a solid path to recovery, it allows them to wallow and waste away quietly, far from a sober society not wanting to see the ugliness of an addiction left to fester.
They might as well load the pipes with crack, too.
‘MJ’ MacLeod, a Calgary psychologist, was speechless when asked to weigh in on the program she was shocked to learn exists.
“You’re not serious?” she asked.
She says harm reduction can be beneficial in some scenarios, but runs the risk of endorsing drug use — “on some level, making it OK.”
Backing the concept of reaching out to addicts, she doubts a viable plan would include pushing pipes.
“Giving hope there is help is a great idea, but going to the extent of handing out crack pipes — I don’t think so,” she says.
Neal Berger, Cedars at Cobblie Hill’s executive director, says the program is nothing more than “palliative care,” for addicts in need of cures.
It is “exceptionally naive,” to think a viable escape plan includes a clean pipe and short-term support, he says.
Rather than smoke-and-mirror solutions, he says, they need residential treatment and years of support.
“To suggest this is any part of a treatment continuum is absurd,” he says from the B.C.-based addictions treatment centre frequented by Calgarians who can afford the out-of-pocket cost.
“It will likely make it worse, not better. The reality is, it gives further licence to it. I would not want to be the person who provided the pipe which results in someone doing brain damage.”
Tetley, a drug expert for 15 years with city police, is disgusted by the initiative.
While there are several viable ways to beat crack addictions — like intensive treatment, jail, police efforts to dry up the market and death — none include passing out pipes, he says.
“It’s just ridiculous, it’s not even putting a Band-Aid on Niagara Falls,” he says.
“Passing out a crack cocaine pipe to a crack user is like passing a joint around.”
While Calgary clinical psychologist Glen Edwards concedes the pipes might mitigate some associated health concerns, he worries it might stop short of education and support people need to successfully fight addictions.
“If it’s the only thing we do it’s only harm reduction, not helping them with their illness,” he says. “Harm reduction doesn’t treat addiction, it reduces harm only.”
Police association president John Dooks scoffs at the idea fearing it pitches addicts deeper into the drug world, many relying on crime to feed an addiction.
“Are we not enabling addicts and worse yet, making it easier for traffickers to market their drugs?” he asks.
Over the years addicts who languished on long wait lists have complained about how tough it is to get meaningful help for addictions in this city.
Health officials would do better to focus on real solutions rather than the pipe-dream that free drug paraphernalia is a good plan.
The bottom line is, handing out pipes means promoting the use of crack cocaine to the very people trying to escape its clutches — something health officials should put in their figurative pipe …and smoke
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Shift in Motion!
There is a lot of movement happening here at Shift! We are excited to announce that August will bring many new and exciting changes!
First and foremost, we have moved! We are now located upstairs to our previous space with our own drop in and meeting space! This is to provide a place for the Shift program. Our new space is a place where clients can drop in for snacks & coffee, meet with the Shift staff, gather for a workshop or simply relax. The computer, laundry, complementary therapies and other downstairs services will still be open to Shift clients as well. Stop by to check it out!
Secondly, Shift will begin to be open late on Thursday nights until 8:30pm. This is to ensure that we are accessible to those people who might not be available during daytime office hours. During our new later hours we will have our regular phone, appointment and drop in services available. We will also hold occasional meetings and events. Evening hours will begin today, Thursday, August 4th.
Thirdly, a Shift calendar has been developed! This is a monthly calendar that outlines the programs and services Shift offers and highlights upcoming events for that month. People can pick up a hard copy from the Shift office, or if requested we will email you a copy. This calendar will be available for the month of August.
Lastly, Shift has resumed its “walking outreach”. This is when Shift staff head out to the strolls to give water, snacks, safer sex supplies, Shift material and other essentials to working individuals. Shift will head out weekly one evening a week.
If you are interested in connecting with Shift and receiving those outreach supplies, or have any other questions or comments, please feel free to connect with us!
Email: info@shiftcalgary.org
Phone: 403.237.8171
First and foremost, we have moved! We are now located upstairs to our previous space with our own drop in and meeting space! This is to provide a place for the Shift program. Our new space is a place where clients can drop in for snacks & coffee, meet with the Shift staff, gather for a workshop or simply relax. The computer, laundry, complementary therapies and other downstairs services will still be open to Shift clients as well. Stop by to check it out!
Secondly, Shift will begin to be open late on Thursday nights until 8:30pm. This is to ensure that we are accessible to those people who might not be available during daytime office hours. During our new later hours we will have our regular phone, appointment and drop in services available. We will also hold occasional meetings and events. Evening hours will begin today, Thursday, August 4th.
Thirdly, a Shift calendar has been developed! This is a monthly calendar that outlines the programs and services Shift offers and highlights upcoming events for that month. People can pick up a hard copy from the Shift office, or if requested we will email you a copy. This calendar will be available for the month of August.
Lastly, Shift has resumed its “walking outreach”. This is when Shift staff head out to the strolls to give water, snacks, safer sex supplies, Shift material and other essentials to working individuals. Shift will head out weekly one evening a week.
If you are interested in connecting with Shift and receiving those outreach supplies, or have any other questions or comments, please feel free to connect with us!
Email: info@shiftcalgary.org
Phone: 403.237.8171
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