GUEST SPEAKER: ADRIAN BETTS - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - AIDS COMMITTEE OF DURHAM REGION
Dave A introduced Adrian Betts, A gay man and long-term survivor living with HIV, Adrian has been the Executive Director of the AIDS Committee of Durham Region (ACDR) for the last 14 years).
Adrian began working in the HIV/AIDS sector in 1989 at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and over time has worked at many HIV service organizations and other social justice services.
Adrian served on OACHA - the Ontario Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS to the Provincial Minister of Health for six years and serves as chair of the Ontario Cohort Study Governance Committee at the Ontario HIV Treatment network.
He is the chair of the Canadian Universal Medication Access Working Group and is on the Board of the National HIV AIDS & Chronic Pain Society.
He is a leader on HIV positive youth and transition issues and facilitated the creation of the Transition Accord for young HIV positive people, most born with HIV, transitioning from pediatric to adult HIV care.
Their Mission: We create an inclusive environment for a collaborative approach to education, support and outreach. We build on the strengths and abilities of people living with HIV, AIDS and related co-infections, those at risk and their support networks in Durham Region.
At Aids Committee of Durham region (ACDR) they strive to reduce the stigma around HIV and AIDS by living according to these values:
The Greater Involvement and Meaningful Engagement of People living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA/MEPA): the client is at the center of all they do; they are client led, and peer and volunteer driven;
Social Justice: ACDR works through a lens of cultural safety, inclusivity, activism, diversity, and an Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression (ARAO) framework;
Respect: They meet people ‘where they are at in their lives’ - honouring their individuality, self-identity and choices. They work to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those they serve;
Compassion: They have empathy for those we serve and strive to understand and address their needs;
Sex positivity: They support individual choice around sex practices, sexual and reproductive health, and believe that human sexuality is an integral part of a healthy life;
Accountability: They are mindful of our responsibility to serve the needs of all of their stakeholders;
Holistic approach: They strive to support individuals with an approach that views health as inclusive of mind, body, spirit, and the environment. They do their work through an understanding of the social determinants of health and risk reduction strategies;
Innovation: They bring unique perspectives when developing our intervention tools and practices. They demonstrate leadership in their work;
Excellence: They believe in setting the highest possible standards for their work and taking an evidence-informed approach;
Self-Care: They acknowledge the challenges in their work, and prioritize taking care of themselves and each other.
Key Points from his Address:
Pre exposure:
Harm Reduction- supply clean needles
Testing- on site testing, HIV take home kit
HYPE Program - at risk prevention program for HIV positive youth
The goal of the AIDS Committee of Durham Region is to reduce the transmission of HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C) by providing sterile needles, works (equipment) and safer sex supplies (condoms, lube etc.).
Harm reduction supplies are available on-site, and ACDR staff and volunteers also provide street outreach.
The services they provide:
Safer Use Drug and Sex Kits - Our safer use kits have all the sterile supplies needed for your form of substance use and also includes our hours of operation and safety tips(Short & Long injection kits, stem kits, bulb kits, snorting kits, condom kits, etc.)
Naloxone & Naloxone Training (Narcan) - Naloxone is a drug used on someone who is having an opioid overdose and it helps revive them out of their overdose state. Naloxone is not a permanent solution and 911/EMS should be called when you have to administer it to someone. ACDR provides free naloxone as well as free naloxone trainings for anyone who is interested.
Fentanyl Drug Test Kits - You can test your drugs and substances for traces of any form of fentanyl. ACDR also provides training on how to use fentanyl test kits.
Formal and Informal Counselling - ACDR provides informal substance use counselling, crisis intervention and brief-solution based counselling
Outreach Van - ACDR uses the outreach van to meet people where they are at in the community to provide harm reduction support and services
Peer Support Program - ACDR’s Peer program allows street-involved individuals with lived experiences to be a part of the harm reduction team by helping assemble the safer use kits and distributing them into the community
Equipment/supply clean up - You can get different sizes of Biohazard bins (Bio bins) at all of our harm reduction locations
Post Exposure:
Attention to young people especially those born with HIV and transitioning into adult health care system.
AVR therapy now allows people to live with undetectable levels of virus and for years with a higher quality of life.
Keys to Success:
Communication, Access and Care Systems
Adequate Preparation
For more information about the Aids Committee of Durham and their tremendous work they do in Durham Reg, please go to: https://www.aidsdurham.com/about.html
Ted Morrison thanked our speaker, Adrian Betts.
At the January 30 meeting of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, President Linda Porritt talks about the HIV Kits with Adrian Betts, Executive Director of the Aids Committee of Durham Region. Adrian provided an update to the Rotary Club about the work and services the Aids Committee provides right here in Durham Region.
President Linda adjourned the meeting.
REMINDER: from Ted – Announcing our newest fundraiser – Maple Syrup Sales. Start your pre-ordering now. Get your orders ready for delivery in late March 2024. Our Club logo on every bottle (750 ml) . Sell for $20 per bottle. Gift Certificates are now available . Great Christmas Gifts. See Ted. All certificates are $20.
REMINDER: 2024 Reverse Draw, Dinner and Silent Auction at the Courtyard by Marriott – May 9, 2024!!
TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!! Dave A now has tickets for this year’s REVERSE DRAW on May 9. Tickets are $150. He asked everyone to think about possible sponsors too. Get your tickets from Dave. List of last year’s buyers and sellers distributed last week. Great reminder. Ted M encouraged everyone to be on the lookout for high quality silent auction items. The goal is 60 again this year. The average price of an item should be $100. Try and get experiences rather than things if possible
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Sue MacKinnon, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.