Dr. Hansel Tookes, a doctor at Miami’s first needle exchange, says Vancouver is leading the way in harm reduction — but the city still grapples with universal challenges of stigma and gentrification. ( Hansel Tookes )Tookes told the Star that Vancouver has led the way on programs and policies that help de-stigmatize drug use and provide wraparound services that meet people where they’re at. “You all should be really proud of your humanity here.” Led by Tookes, the IDEA Exchange is the only needle exchange in the state of Florida. But he said that while Vancouver has been a leader in harm reduction, there are still very common structural challenges in the city. “As gentrification fills the city of Miami, I don’t know what’s going to happen to populations we serve.

Source: thestar March 30, 2019 02:48 UTC