I'll tell you how. Give yourself a crash course in a highly debated topic you only know a gloss about. My head is pretty much blown after too many hours of research. I'm in a bit of a lull in the PDP program, so my brain is being occupied by other things. This evening, it's been the Supreme Court's recent decision in favour of the BC Supreme Court against the federal government regarding criminal code exemption affecting the operation of Insite, Vancouver's safe injection site.
Let me rewind, and provide you with some relevant information, in case I caught you unawares--in layman's terms. Insite opened in 2003, as a pilot project brought to you by our then Liberal government. Because it was a pilot project in nature, it was given a three 3 "criminal code exemption". Essentially, this meant that addicts living on the downtown easide (DTES) of Vancouver were legally exempt to inject themselves with illegally purchased drugs, the hope being that providing drug users with a clean, sterile environment with which to shoot themselves up would reinforce one pillar of the four pillars drug strategy: harm reduction--the other four being prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Harm reduction is principally concerned with, in the case of Insite, reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis, and reducing the incidences of overdoses, fatal or otherwise.
In 2006, a minority Conservative government, specifically Health Minister Tony Clement, granted Insite a temporary exemption to keep operating, until the Ministry of Health could make an informed decision about it's continued operation. Eventually, Clement refused to extend its exemption. In response, the BC Supreme Court heard and found in favour of a constitutional challenge to keep Insite open because (and here I quote the Wikipedia entry for Insite...gasp!) "laws prohibiting possession and trafficking of drugs were unconstitutional because they denied drug users access to Insite's health services". This is the decision that the Supreme Court recently upheld.
Essentially, the claiments stated that the government's refusal maintain Insite's exemption from the laws of the Controlled Drugs and Services Act, or CDSA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_Drugs_and_Substances_Act), was a violation of section seven of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_Seven_of_the_Canadian_Charter_of_Rights_and_Freedoms), and that, alternatively the application of the laws of the CDSA to Insite violates the rights layed out in the Charter in the first place, the exemption notwithstanding. These arguments anger me and boggle my mind at the same time. It seems a circular argument because of how quickly a "pilot project privilege", for extreme lack of a better term, becomes a "right", no better term lacking. I'm still working my way through the Supreme Court's online publication of the case (http://scc.lexum.org/en/2011/2011scc44/2011scc44.html). Though I haven't read it in its entirety, it strikes me that much of the argumentation used in this case revolves around Insites supposed successes: lowered HIV rates, overdoses, etc, and not whether or not denying exemption violates section seven of the Charter.
So far, I haven't even gotten too deeply into the biblical argumentation. When it comes to addiction, the Bible's conclusion is clear, extapolating alcoholism to cover drug addictions (1 Cor 6 verse 10: "...nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God"). In this light, the Bible condemns such a facility as Insite, as it provides a haven for those who persist in addiction to shoot up and resume that addiction. The Bible might say that Insite doesn't do enough to rehabilitate addicts, though the notion of "rehabilitation" might open up the addiction as a sin vs. addiction as a disease debate--one that would take a whole other blog, or book, to tackle, and one that I don't feel sufficiently prepared to take on.
Anyways, I'm tired, and I've probably left you with more questions than answers. My own mind is spinning like mad, and I think I'm only depressing myself. Thoughts, anyone? Resources to pass on, especially concerning biblical perspectives surrounding such an issue?
**editor's note: rest assured that though I did publish a couple of Wikipedia articles for you to check out, my research ventured outside that realm ;). I posted the links so that you could have a brief crash course in certain isolated topics :).
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Checkpoint One
First off, I'll get the ritual apology in to those who were expecting more frequent updates. I've been journaling about my experiences in PDP, just not blogging about them. So much has been happening, but I'll give you the short version.
We have the most incredible module. PDP hopefuls, do what you can to ensure you're placed in the Fraser Valley module. Two reasons for this: first off, at 16 people, it's half the size of most other PDP modules. Second, our classroom is in the midst of other high school classrooms, just waiting to be explored! The small module makes for a much more personable atmosphere. Already, strong bonds have been created among us. Last week, we attended a symposium at the Surrey campus, along with a module of 32 based out of that campus. The difference was night and day! Some in that module didn't even know the others' names.
Classroom observations have been a HUGE advantage. Most days we get a whole block to pester other teachers in the school and check out their classrooms. So far, I've done a survey of the English department, checked out the AVID program, and visited a Carpentry class for fun. The AVID program was particularly cool to see. Essentially, it's a Planning, Grad Transitions, or CAPP course on steroids--except the students actually buy into it, rather than assume the typical "it's a joke" mindset. It puts them on the fast track to preparing for university, and the kids want to be there. In fact, they are interviewed before they are even admitted into the program, which in ideal scenario, runs from grade 9-12 for each student, though some enter it later on in high school.
Classroom discussions have proved to be invaluable so far. Usually in response to assigned readings, much discussion arises from classroom observations as well. In the end, it's all important. What better way to develop our skills and methodologies than to bounce ideas off and share observations with other prospective teachers?
A look ahead: we just received our practicum placements. For practicums, we have a 2 week stint at the end of October, a 3 week stint in November\December, all leading up to the main practicum in January. Barring any arising issues, all should be in the same place. I was placed at Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford, less than 15 minutes from my house! Of course I did some digging and emailed my practicum supervisor--never too early to suck up, right? Also, I found out that their junior boys basketball team is coached by none other than the iconic Barry Stewart. You may not know him, but it's a big deal for me. We're encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities, and basketball is a natural fit for me. I was euphoric when I saw Barry's name on the web page. He's run basketball camps and leagues in Abbotsford for more than 20 years, and has been coaching and been involved in high school sport for more than 40! I've been to his basketball camps. I managed to find some contact information and, a little starstruck, picked up the phone. He was more than willing to chat...and chat...and chat. A very personable old man. We didn't just talk basketball, either (though he assured me he was going to work at getting me a coaching position). He sang the praises of the school, and highlighted a few faculty members to get in touch with, only stopping because he'd have been in trouble with his wife otherwise. So cool how such a fruitful interaction came about just because I dared to pick up the phone and call him up. It made me all the more excited.
That pretty much gets you up to speed, in a broad sense. There's SO much more to tell, but it would occupy too much space--and time, more importantly. If you want to know more, just ask. It'd be much easier to relate over a cup of coffee ;)
We have the most incredible module. PDP hopefuls, do what you can to ensure you're placed in the Fraser Valley module. Two reasons for this: first off, at 16 people, it's half the size of most other PDP modules. Second, our classroom is in the midst of other high school classrooms, just waiting to be explored! The small module makes for a much more personable atmosphere. Already, strong bonds have been created among us. Last week, we attended a symposium at the Surrey campus, along with a module of 32 based out of that campus. The difference was night and day! Some in that module didn't even know the others' names.
Classroom observations have been a HUGE advantage. Most days we get a whole block to pester other teachers in the school and check out their classrooms. So far, I've done a survey of the English department, checked out the AVID program, and visited a Carpentry class for fun. The AVID program was particularly cool to see. Essentially, it's a Planning, Grad Transitions, or CAPP course on steroids--except the students actually buy into it, rather than assume the typical "it's a joke" mindset. It puts them on the fast track to preparing for university, and the kids want to be there. In fact, they are interviewed before they are even admitted into the program, which in ideal scenario, runs from grade 9-12 for each student, though some enter it later on in high school.
Classroom discussions have proved to be invaluable so far. Usually in response to assigned readings, much discussion arises from classroom observations as well. In the end, it's all important. What better way to develop our skills and methodologies than to bounce ideas off and share observations with other prospective teachers?
A look ahead: we just received our practicum placements. For practicums, we have a 2 week stint at the end of October, a 3 week stint in November\December, all leading up to the main practicum in January. Barring any arising issues, all should be in the same place. I was placed at Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford, less than 15 minutes from my house! Of course I did some digging and emailed my practicum supervisor--never too early to suck up, right? Also, I found out that their junior boys basketball team is coached by none other than the iconic Barry Stewart. You may not know him, but it's a big deal for me. We're encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities, and basketball is a natural fit for me. I was euphoric when I saw Barry's name on the web page. He's run basketball camps and leagues in Abbotsford for more than 20 years, and has been coaching and been involved in high school sport for more than 40! I've been to his basketball camps. I managed to find some contact information and, a little starstruck, picked up the phone. He was more than willing to chat...and chat...and chat. A very personable old man. We didn't just talk basketball, either (though he assured me he was going to work at getting me a coaching position). He sang the praises of the school, and highlighted a few faculty members to get in touch with, only stopping because he'd have been in trouble with his wife otherwise. So cool how such a fruitful interaction came about just because I dared to pick up the phone and call him up. It made me all the more excited.
That pretty much gets you up to speed, in a broad sense. There's SO much more to tell, but it would occupy too much space--and time, more importantly. If you want to know more, just ask. It'd be much easier to relate over a cup of coffee ;)
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