Note: All sessions from 9 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. are in the Ballroom

Registration Desk Opens

Welcome

Lee Sieswerda, Epidemiologist, Thunder Bay District Health Unit
A Snapshot of Hepatitis C in the District

Refreshment and Friendship Break

Dr. David Wong, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
Clinical Director, Liver Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital
Director of Hepatology Education, University of Toronto
University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario
Hep C 101 and Treatment Options
This session will cover:
1. Who should be checked for HCV
2. Acute hepatitis - what to do after a needlestick injury
3. How to recognize serious disease, i.e., cirrhosis
4. Treatment - where are we now and where are we going?

Lunch

Cathy Cleary, Provincial Coordinator
Ontario Harm Reduction Program
Program, Products and People:
    The Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program
The Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program provides harm reduction materials, as well as knowledge and support, to Ontario’s needle exchange and harm reduction programs. OHRDP supplies sterile water, sterile alcohol swabs, cotton filters, Vitamin C, tourniquets and cookers free of charge to all NEPs and affiliated programs for distribution to clients.

This presentation will offer an up to date look at the progress of the program since early summer 2006. It will include a discussion of the triumphs, the challenges and ongoing issues being addressed around harm reduction through the program.

Senator Larry Campbell
Plenary Session: Four Pillars Three Years After
A huge proponent of the Four Pillars approach to ending drug abuse, Larry Campbell ran for Mayor of Vancouver when he felt this strategy was being neglected. In 2002 he was elected Mayor under the banner of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) in what was a landslide election. Carrying on the legacy of his predecessor Philip Owen, Mayor Campbell spearheaded the approval and establishment of North America's first legal safe injection site and continued to champion the Four Pillars Drug Strategy.

In August 2005, Campbell was summoned to the Senate of Canada by then-Prime Minister Paul Martin. As a Senator, Campbell has continued his work on drug policy, mental health, and Aboriginal issues.

Senator Campbell will share his insights on the Four Pillar Strategy in this informative and inspiring session. 

Refreshment and Friendship Break

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Session A: Hep C and Youth
Mushkiki-Gizhi-baa-sense-Kwaa, Bear Clan
Ron Kanutski in his role as Native Cultural Coordinator/Counsellor
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
Ron will share the seven principles that will not only assist your clients but strengthen you, the helper, as well.  He will also discuss the importance of getting to the root of the problems that face our youth today. Hepatitis C is quite often the result of other issues that are never acknowledged, addressed or identified.  
Ballroom 1

Session B: The Needle Exchange Best Practice Guidelines
Don Young, Program Coordinator, Superior Points
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
Don Young is the co-chair of the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program and is one of the co-authors of the Ontario Best Practices Recommendations, the first of its kind in North America. As such, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this session on best practices for needle exchange.
Scandia 1

Session C: Women and Hepatitis C
Dr. Sarah Eckler, Family Physician
Norwest Community Health Centre
The presentation will review issues relating to Hepatitis C in women.  Topics to be explored include: the epidemiology of Hepatitis C in women, particular groups of women at high risk for hepatitis C, clinical aspects of Hepatitis C in women and pregnancy and hepatitis C.
Scandia 3

Registration Desk Opens

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Session D: Crack Cocaine-Lessening the Stigma
Frank Coburn
An HIV/HCV Harm Reduction Outreach Worker in downtown Toronto, Frank will draw  from years of personal experience to illustrate the importance of Harm Reduction as a necessary intervention in dealing with substance use.
Ballroom 1

Session E: Hepatitis C and Law Enforcement-Precautions
Diana Gowanlock, Public Health Nurse, Infectious Disease Program, Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Frank Tropea, Thunder Bay Police Department
Hepatitis-C presents a unique set of challenges to those working in law enforcement.  What best practices have been put into place to deal with the growing numbers of those affected?  Two experts will provide two different perspectives on this timely topic.
Scandia 1

Session F: The Stigma of Hepatitis C
Abi Sprakes, Manager, Substance Use Programs, Family Services Thunder Bay
An overlooked aspect of HCV is stigma. This presentation discusses the stigmatization of HCV and provides the audience with an opportunity to discuss this invisible, yet painful component of HCV and the tools for confronting stigma.
Scandia 3

Refreshment and Friendship Break

Mushkiki-Gizhi-baa-sense-Kwaa, Bear Clan
Ron Kanutski
Registered Social Worker in his role as Mental Health & Addictions Counsellor
With Care Consulting
Closing Plenary: Facing Today & Tomorrow with Hope
Ron Kanutski will be on hand to conduct the closing ceremony for this year's Forum with 47 very special guests. The goal is to touch our heart, mind & spirits and inspire us to look at our tomorrows with strength, hope and aspiration.

Wrap Up and Closing Remarks