By Erin Knutson
Ankors peer health navigator and drug testing technician James Kaufman supports inclusion, compassion, stigma reduction and diversity as part of the local welfare branch’s mission at its Cranbrook client base.
“We work from a wellness model through support and advocacy, harm reduction, prevention and education, providing customer-focused programs and services focused on the whole person and partnerships with our community network,” he said of their mandate.
Kaufman is part of a team dedicated to helping people dealing with HIV / AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood pathogens leading to infectious diseases, while promoting health and safety by providing resources, recommendations and amenities to clients.
The Harm Reduction Model, an integral part of Ankors’ services, provides people with a safe place to check drug supplies and dispose of accessories, especially drug needles, with an accessible needle disposal container conveniently located outside their location in The center of the city.
“This creates a safe and anonymous option for people – many people die from fentanyl products, so if we can check that supplies are clean, we can and are really saving lives,” he said.
Fentanyl is resistant to naxolone, which means that many deaths occur around its use. According to Kaufman, people die if they can’t get treatment fast enough.
He is a person who speaks from life experience, which puts him in the category of help for help for health partners.
“People will trust someone who has been through this much more than in a clinical setting – it’s easier to help someone or connect with that person when you can connect with what they’re going through.” , he said.
James Kaufman
Kaufman recently graduated with a degree in human services from the College of the Rockies and is proud of his work in the community.
There is no specific profile in Ankors’ diverse clientele.
“A decent percentage of the people who visit are homeless, but we take care of everyone and see people from all walks of life,” he said.
According to Kaufman, there is a significant homeless population at the local level, and with it many new problems, including increased crime in the city.
“Often this is a crime of survival – most of the thefts that occur are drug-related, owe money or need things to survive.”
There is a shortage of affordable housing, programming, funding and space for people who are currently on the streets. As a result, treatment and hospitalization for mental health problems and addiction do not always occur.
People are often put back on the streets with no solution or nowhere to go, and the cycle repeats itself, depleting current resources.
The need exceeds available support, leading to visible inequalities in the community, including increased theft and the emergence of homeless camps, much to the detriment of residents and business owners, Kaufman said.
“Many of the people we see are not in a place where they can work – it’s about reducing the damage at the moment and doing what we can to help them cope.”
Kaufman boasts that he loves his profession on a typical day.
“We get people who are scared and have nowhere to go, but just by being here, we help them realize that they are not alone – and when someone leaves and feels a little better, that’s all, it’s good to be “You’re here because we’re all vulnerable, every one of us,” he said.
To read more about Ankors, visit: About ANKORS – ANKORS
Host image: Peer health navigator and drug testing technician James Kaufman at the Ancors location in central Cranbrook. Photos by Erin Knutson
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