Historical background de Cactus
Cactus evolves constantly to respond to changing needs.
When it was founded in 1989, Cactus Montreal became the very first needle exchange program in North-America. And it has continued ever since to fulfil its mission: to reduce the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis and other blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections among Injection Drug Users (IDU) and sex trade workers.
In 1996, outreach work was introduced, allowing Cactus to have greater access to IDUs and sex trade workers directly on the street, in bars, in parks, in residences, in organisations or any other place they frequent. Initially, street outreach workers focus was primarily sex workers and transgendered populations in the downtown area. At that time, there was a sharp rise in hepatitis C infections and, given the powerful taboo surrounding injection drug use, many young marginalized and new drug users were reluctant to come to the exchange site. Street outreach workers compensated for this by reaching out directly to these marginalized groups and providing information to them on how to positively impact risky behaviour.
In 1998, a study of the needs of the transgendered population showed a rise in HIV infection rate. There were no services adapted to their needs and their mistrust towards the health system made the situation even more complex. Following this study, the Association santé travesti(e)s transsexuel(le)s du Québec, ASTT(e)Q was created.
In 1999, Cactus Montréal started housing, on a managing basis, the Peer-to-Peer project which specifically intervenes with young marginalized people in the downtown area. This service, originally sponsored by the CLSC des Faubourgs, is still under way.
Then, in 1998, concerned by the hardships lived by the people who used its services, Cactus widened its mandate by initiating a service to defend their rights. In this way, Cactus was thus reasserting its primary social role by addressing itself to persons whom, besides their dependencies, are equally dealing with other problems linked to mental disease, homelessness, isolation, criminal behaviour and judiciary issues.
Moving twice, in 1995 and 1999, prompted many reactions and Cactus decided to increase its activities aimed at creating and maintaining better relations with neighbouring residents and merchants.
During all these years, Cactus has considerably refined its interventions and operating practices and, today, it is recognised nationally as well as internationally for its expertise and its efficiency in reducing negative impacts.
Rather than taking charge of people, Cactus’ goal is to empower them to regain control over their lives and to present them with choices so that they become “acting subjects” once again. It is a global, generalist approach, without restrictions, which allows the creation of equalitarian relationships that consider the whole person.
