Authority to Travel to Jersey Island, England, & Amsterdam for Conference

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 29, 2000
Author/Local: Judy Rogers, 7626
RTS No. 01386

CC File No. 1310

Council: April 4, 2000

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

City Manager

SUBJECT:

AUTHORITY TO TRAVEL TO JERSEY ISLAND, ENGLAND AND AMSTERDAM, TO ATTEND THE 11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE REDUCTION OF DRUG RELATED HARM, APRIL 9 TO 20TH, 2000.

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council authorize Donald MacPherson, to travel to Jersey Island to attend a conference and follow up with site visits to Liverpool and Amsterdam for site visits.

COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the recommendation for Council's CONSIDERATION.

POLICY

Council's travel policy, approved July 31, 1992 requires Council approval for travel outside Canada.

PURPOSE

This report requests approval for Donald McPherson to travel to Jersey Island to participate in the 11th International Conference of the Reduction of Drug Related Harm and to follow the Conference with site visits to Liverpool, England and to Amsterdam.

DISCUSSION

The impact of drug related issues on the City of Vancouver has been a priority for Council.
The current four pillar approach as outlined in the document prepared by Donald McPherson emerged from his consultation with staff from European cities. This conference followed by site visits, will provide the City with an opportunity to meet with Police, Municipal staff, health service staff, and visit support services for addicts. Liverpool is the birthplace of contemporary harm reduction theory and practice and is one of the first examples of the successful coordination of health initiatives and enforcement efforts. Amsterdam affords the same opportunity as a City who has developed programs in response to drug issues.

Given the critical nature of Vancouver's issues with elicit drug use, it is important for us to learn from other cities experiences.

Costs:

The trip costs include

Conference fee $ 950.00
Air travel $ 1,600.00
Accommodation/
Per diem/ground transportation $ 1,700.00

Total $ 4,250.00

CONCLUSION

This conference along with the two site visits provide staff direct access to municipal programs and responses and the experience of managing the issues for municipalities responding to drug issues.

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TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	City Manager
SUBJECT:	AUTHORITY TO TRAVEL TO JERSEY ISLAND, ENGLAND AND AMSTERDAM, TO ATTEND THE 11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE REDUCTION OF DRUG RELATED HARM, APRIL 9 TO 20TH, 2000.