DNC Board Meeting Minutes - May 20,
2014
Attendees:
12 board members in attendance, 2 guests.
X reads the constitution
X reads previous minutes, minutes approved with
friendly amendment to give $5 honorarium to X for addressing the board.
Round of introductions
MOTION: X, Xto approve the agenda. Motion passes.
Presentation on mayor’s mental health task force:
Summary of materials , Declaration of mental health crisis,
task force comprises 45 members, mostly from service providers, 8 from VPD, 1-VANDU,
1-GG, 1-At Home Chez Soi, Chaired by Penny Ballem, Sessions on variety of
topics: stigma, systems, eliminating barriers – to sharing information among
non-profits.
Add 300 secure mental health beds, now 150 beds in DTES,
rest outside. More staffing at BC housing sites, more significant support
through ACT teams etc…, visits regularly, enhanced crisis care, funding for 9
beds at StPauls, creation of joint VPD/ACT teams, police can decide if you are
mentally ill.
(Section 28 of mental health act)
June 11 is session on addictions
SAMI – Severely addicted and mentally ill
6 points of agreement or discussion.
Issues discussed surrounding Charter of Rights.
Consuming illicit alcohol and crystal meth leads to brain
damage, therefor can now be classified as mentally ill. Mental health act will
be used against addicts.
Agreement has been made on information sharing between
agencies.
Discussion of civil forfeiture laws starting as something
sold as reasonable and then clearly getting out of hand.
Discussion of voluntary community crisis centre that would
remove necessity for committal of at risk persons.
Finance Committee
Meeting on Friday, May 23rd at 9:30am
PHS:
Street Market advisory
Background Re: PHS and neighbourhood
Dominic Flanagan – believes in forced treatment
Princess will not be taken back, but possibility of VCH or
others coming in and running it like an institution
Discussion of Trauma informed services as an alternative
narrative to the forced treatment model
VCH is under pressure to turn away from harm reduction
Alternatives to Detox centres should be a priority
Brochure
Delayed due to the long weekend
Phone Tree
Divide up an old copy of the membership list
Need to meet regarding the website – X, X, X,
X perhaps
X visited an advocacy workshop, there may be positions
available.
Motion to adjourn, moment of silence