Welcome to UpWords
Welcome readers to the very first issue of UpWords. This quarterly publication is written, edited, and produced by members of the LifeSkills Centre and residents of the Downtown Eastside.
UpWords is a voice for those who have few places to tell their stories and share their real challenges of living with a drug addiction and writing about the culture that surrounds it. We want to bring our expertise in Harm Reduction to a broader audience, while talking about the risks involved in being exposed to a street level drug trade, within a tightly knit community that holds closely as many uplifting tales as it does tragedies.
Several months ago at The LifeSkills Centre what used to be called the Stimulant User Support Group started meeting, brainstorming, and eating together on a weekly basis. We envisioned a publication that was inclusive, community based, and one that could be used as a tool to bring humanity to a demonized population, while breaking down some walls between those using Crack and Methamphetamine and the greater community. thus was born... Up Words.
This incredible group of dedicated members became writers, editors, photographers and cartoonists. Collectively this monumental 1st edition has been produced. As I write our first editorial, I am already excited about the submissions for our next edition.
We really hope you enjoy this little paper, and look forward to your comments and suggestions (some of which may be published if you like!). All of us at UpWords would like to thank Murray Bush for his patience, leadership and fantastic layout! We would like to dedicate this premiere edition to our fallen friend, Rick Morrison. You are greatly missed - RIP. Until the New Year... - COCO
PUNITIVE NEW CRYSTAL METH LAW MISSES 'POINT'
I have to agree with Mark Townsend of the Portland that new stricter sentencing alone cannot fix the rising crystal meth epidemic. It is totally obvious that there is a huge drug problem here in the Downtown Eastside and the harder the police try to stop the dealers, the smarter they [the dealers] are.
A lot of Crystal Meth addicts use it because it is cheap and easy to get, but most of all for pain relief. Pain, includes the effects of emotional and physical abuse, as the result of growing up in a dysfunctional home or family. Many addicts were not given a choice, as they were subjected to it at an early age and need it to function normally. I find the new law to be far too extreme a form of punishment for those who are still in their adolescent years. Would you like to end up in jail for life over a shard that doesn't even weigh an actual point [tenth of a gram]? Please think about it! - LISA OLM (McGARTHY)