I am a recovering heroin addict

I am a recovering heroin addict and I have been clean for 2 years. I though that this documentary was excellent. It really shows the downside of drugs not all the glamour that is always associated with drugs. Kids need to know that it isn't something that you can just do for awhile, once you start it seems there is no way out. I give Through a Blue Lens two thumbs up!!!

My daughter is almost 8...

My daughter is almost 8 and has been coming to my AA and NA meetings since she was 2. I try to explain to her the trap that drugs and alcohol are that once you start to do drugs, the things that ‘normal’ people enjoy in life are no longer fun or meaningful. It’s such a terrible, terrible trap. I sure hope you can continue sharing your film with kids, I hope you can make more. Thank you for having compassion for the people who are still lost, they are, as you said, people’s loved one’s and they do matter. You are part of the solution and you give me hope.

I am a thirty-one year old, single mom...

I am a thirty-one year old, single mom. I am also a recovering addict. I just finished watching “Through a Blue Lens.” It was SO effective, I sure wish I could have seen it when I was young. I thought of “partying” and heroin use as glamourous and exciting and I didn’t know the truth until it was too late. It is still a struggle at times to stay clean and I truly believe I will have to be diligent about my recovery until the day I die.

Again, thank you...

Again, thank you. Please keep up the good work!

I’m a long-term heroin addict...

I’m a long-term heroin addict now in my second year of recovery. It’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling right now. It’s absolutely necessary that I congratulate the constables involved in this project. You’ve certainly surprised me! I’ve never seen the police let their humanity show in this particular context. You gentlemen certainly have, and I congratulate and thank you. In my mind, seeing what I saw tonight is such a major breakthrough that my hopes that reasonable solutions to the plethora of problems within the drug problem might be found before…well, before too many more of us just die, have been renewed.

Later tonight, CBC will broadcast “Through a Blue Lens.” ...

Later tonight, CBC will broadcast “Through a Blue Lens.” We will rally around the television to watch your production. Here in Toronto , the issues of homelessness, drug addiction and prostitution are increasing and encroaching. My neighbourhood is represented by 51 Division Metro Toronto Police and their community policing efforts are genuine and formidable. Upon reviewing your credentials (on your web site), I was not surprised that you are all achievers. I can only imagine the tremendous vision and personal strength required to support the needs of urban policing. Thank you for choosing to make this important documentary film.

Congratulations...

…Congratulations, and best wishes for future projects, big and small.

If more institutions and groups...

If more institutions and groups across Canada undertook similar projects, and indeed acted with a similar philosophy of compassion and realism (instead of judgement and blame) towards social problems such as drug addiction, I believe we would be well on our way toward solutions. In addition, it was wonderful to see such warm images of police officers. Their genuine compassion and concern was tangible, and was a warm welcome change from the less flattering, less admirable images usually broadcast on the news. The Odd Squad has my respect.

Thank you for doing this very important film...

Thank you for doing this very important film. Please make sure high school students see this. It will scare them straight. Bravo, keep up the fight for those who can’t.
I realize you’ll probably be getting a lot of email following The National’s broadcast of the documentary. Nevertheless, I wanted to write and let you know how pleased I was to see the film tonight. I am a 26-year-old communication studies student and I’ve rarely seen such a powerful, unsentimental documentary on such an essential issue.

I just wanted to say...

I just wanted to say I watched your documentary on the television tonight and I wanted to thank you, for the moment it was on I felt like I was right there. I am a recovering cocaine addict. I’ve been clean now for 8 and a half months. I was lucky I never ended up in those situations but what you guys put together is so true and very realistic and a lot of people don’t realize what’s going on out there. You guys did a great job and I know that it will open up a lot of people’s eyes. And as long as your message reaches at least one person, cool. It touched me. Thank you.

At any rate...

At any rate, I am very interested in this field. I am currently in the first year of a criminology program. I am looking into policing and would like to get involved with this program. I am quite capable, upwardly motivated and willing to volunteer my time to help if I can.

I just had the pleasure of watching...

I just had the pleasure of watching the CBC broadcast of this documentary and I was very pleased. Not only did the film bring the gripping reality of drug addiction and street life into view, but I thin kit has also been able to show the “average” Canadian just what some of these people are about. This country needs to wake up to the 21st Century, and realize that these people are victims, not criminals. This country needs to rethink its approach in this area.

We, as Canadians...

We, as Canadians, need to send a clear message to government that the status quo is totally unacceptable. I hope to accomplish that by sending copies of this email to the people in charge in Vancouver , Toronto and Ottawa . We may differ on solutions, but one thing we can all agree on is that this must be brought to the forefront of the national agenda, not swept aside with the usual rhetoric and promises for study which is a code word for my inaction. This documentary, I hope, will be that first step. Again, my sincere thanks to all of you!

Putting a face and personality on those trapped...

Putting a face and personality on those trapped on skid row goes a long way toward letting the average citizen know that the people they step over on the street deserve our help…they are our friends, our brothers and sisters, our parents, not just some random “junky” whose “criminal behaviour” is not of our concern. They’re fellow Canadians, too, and yes, they deserve more.

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU!!! This is one of the most powerful, and in my opinion, important documentaries I’ve ever seen about addiction. I hope it not only serves as a vehicle to inform kids about the dangers of cocaine and heroin addiction, but also serves as a wake up call to those in government. They are not only providing insufficient treatment to these people, but in my opinion, ignoring the root cause: American-style drug prohibition.

I watched the film with my 17-year-old daughter...

I watched the film with my 17-year-old daughter and from our discussion later, I know she was truly impacted. Her early teens saw her caught up with alcohol and marijuana use, some experimenting with acid. She was lucky and found her way to AA. Watching your film, she knows a little more clearly now just how lucky she is. Thank you for reinforcing her clean and sober time. Good-on you guys!

Just a brief note...

Just a brief note to express my appreciation and thanks for the documentary on CBC the other night. “Through a Blue Lens” was excellent filming! As a former social worker of 17 years, some of it as staff at detox units. I am always impressed by compassion shown to those less fortunate that we. To see and hear you officers express understanding and compassion in the midst of such suffering and desperation certainly speaks well of the Vancouver City Police. I share your hope that perhaps the next generation of our society will know addiction for what it is. I applaud the message you shared and I can only wish that thousands of people, especially teens, view the documentary.

The years to follow have been rough...

The years to follow have been rough, I still feel guilty, useless at times, but I have a husband I love, a house of my own on the river, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and I will never forget ever what I let myself get into and how close I was to dying. I was a snob before my addictions, then one of those myself that I hated and looked down on. Never again, I will preach, assist, try to share my story with anyone who’ll listen, and I will be taping your show and showing it to my 14-year-old stepson, who knows of my former life but can’t quite believe it as he only knows of me now, not then. Once again, I thank you for all your efforts and help you provide “us” addicts. If I can do anything to help, let me know.

I was deep in a world of Asian crime, bedlam...

I was deep in a world of Asian crime, bedlam. I’m grateful to God mostly, my family and myself for having the courage to reach for help. My family waited until I called and came for me immediately. I was then locked in a bedroom in my sister’s home until the withdrawal was over. I cannot explain what this is like, except that I’d have rather died than go through that, but I was powerless and just gave in.

I’m writing to you to thank you for your efforts...

I’m writing to you to thank you for your efforts and compassion in the making of your documentary “Through a Blue Lens.” I’ve been waiting anxiously for it to air and tonight’s the night. I am writing to you because I am a recovering addict myself, 4 years clean from a $400/day habit that almost killed me. I am also a medical professional, who had a great family life, wanted for nothing. I ended up ruining a long relationship, hurting my family, others. It will never leave my soul, all the hurt, hate and the feeling of others looking down at me, disgusted in me, afraid to speak to me, or acknowledge me.

You have gone above the call of duty...

You have gone above the call of duty in producing this film and give inspiration to the other officers in their efforts to “make a difference.” For this I salute you.

Your documentary was honest, powerful...

Your documentary was honest, powerful and hardcore but most importantly, it will be educational. I strongly believe you have developed a tool that will help to reduce the power of addiction and give a strong dose of reality to those who watch it.

I have just watched your documentary...

I have just watched your documentary on drug addicts living in the bowels of Vancouver , commonly referred to as skid row. It made chills run down my spine to see the self-destruction caused by the all-encompassing poison known as drugs. There is a Nicola and a Randy in your city, my city, in almost every major urban centre in North America . The fact is that drugs have been portrayed as an instrument of enjoyment, and a glamourous accessory by Hollywood ’s rich and famous. Only those who don the uniform and deal with society’s waste have seen the evil in the addiction…until now.

Hello! I am an ambulance supervisor...

Hello! I am an ambulance supervisor in Saskatchewan . It’s Wednesday night, December 8, 1999. I was channel surfing and came across a TV program on Newsworld. It was a program about the drug users in downtown Vancouver . The program was extremely well done and the content was second to none. I have a 3-year-old son and number 2 is on the way. As a parent I thought this was an excellent way to show the effects of drug abuse. Interviewing one of the drug users at the end of the program gave it the “reality” it needed. If my children were older they would certainly have watched this show. Again, very well done and congratulations to everyone involved.

Thank you...

Thank you, and a special thank-you for making this video for caring.

Last night I watched the video “Through a Blue Lens”...

Last night I watched the video “Through a Blue Lens” on the National. The feature was tremendously powerful and extremely thoughtful in its presentation. While the stories are heart wrenching and provoking, it was the empathy of the police officers that was the most riveting, and the respect each showed for those in our society who have no voice of their own was incredible. Having worked at the … for years, I walked past these people every day and never once thought of their lives as anything beyond what I saw. I think this is a vital message for our students and for their parents.

I’m a 16-year-old...

I’m a 16-year-old girl who lives in Salmon Arm, BC. I watched the “Through a Blue Lens” documentary the other night on TV and I want you guys to know I haven’t stopped thinking about it since! That was definitely the most effective anti-drug presentation I’ve ever seen. The “real life” point of view was really captivating! Thing is, I don’t think enough people got to see it. I understand your focus is to educate kids on what it’s like to live with addiction, and I want to help you spread the word! …Again, an excellent documentary… .

This film hits home with me...

This film hits home with me, as I am an Emergency Room Physician…, … so I cross paths with these addicts not infrequently. And this film gave me a new perspective on these patients, who I see almost exclusively at their worst. And sometimes we forget they have a life (or at least they did, and could have again). Thanks for reminding me…

I just wanted to congratulate Odd Squad...

I just wanted to congratulate Odd Squad on the premier of the documentary Through a Blue Lens. Frankly I was blown away by the film. Apart from the great intentions behind the idea, it was as a good documentary as I can remember seeing – insightful, funny, moving and poignant with a very important, but not preachy, message.

To the men in blue...

To the men in blue, again, my thanks for this eye opening experience. God bless you too! Keep feeling this compassion! You are true heroes!

Your film WILL help people...

Your film WILL help people. For those who may be thinking of hiding from their problems by using drugs, and for those of us who would be too ignorant to care because it won’t happen to us, your film is extremely pertinent, timely and well done. One officer described other’s perspectives on the street life and explained how he came to know the East Side inhabitants as PEOPLE. When the film began, I thought of the East Side inhabitants as fondly as I do street rats or drug dealers. When it ended, I saw Nikki as a user and, more importantly, as a human being in desperate need.

I am grateful...

I am grateful for the insight your documentary provided. Honestly, I didn’t know it could be like that for people. I’ve heard of cocaine and heroin being used, but only in the “glamourous” sense, where nobody gets hurt. What a deceptively wrong portrayal!

This is the first real thing I have seen...

This is the first real thing I have seen on television in a long time. This film was incredible and I found myself crying, laughing, especially with Nikki; and also full of hope; for these policemen have treated these people with genuine human compassion…Bravo Bravo. An excellent film.

I have just finished watching your documentary...

I have just finished watching your documentary “Through a Blue Lens.” I am a 32-year-old mother of 3 children and I just wanted to tell you what an incredible impact this film has had on me. This is the best thing I have seen yet to educate children on the effects of drug abuse. I can’t put into words the respect I have for the police and the way in which they are relating and helping these people who so desperately need help. I can only feel that this is the right way on the road to preventing drug abuse amongst kids and helping those who already have addictions.

I will not ever forget the experience...

I will not ever forget the experience of watching “Through a Blue Lens” and ALL the people who made it possible. I cried when I say Nikki sitting there, looking so pretty. God bless her continued health.

My husband and I live in a small town...

My husband and I live in a small town in Southern Utah . Tonight, he was surfing the satellite for a hockey game and he stopped right at the beginning of “Through a Blue Lens.” Oh my gosh! I am at a loss for words and believe me, that is unusual. Watching that caused a complete paradigm shift for me. We were most amazed at the care and compassion that the officers displayed on a daily basis, day after day, month after month, and year after year. Looking at it from the position you taught us, of health rather than a criminal one is a new concept, for sure, yet my heart says it is the way we must address the situation.

Good luck...

Good luck with your future projects.

My congratulations to the Odd Squad...

My congratulations to the Odd Squad for your genuine humanitarian efforts in helping to expose the need for a true federal initiative to help people who cannot help themselves. These issues are the true facts in our times and the only way that anything will be done about it is to, figuratively, hold up the mirror, where the characters’ faces could very well be our own.

Complicated social issues...

Complicated social issues such as drug addiction and the misery that existence brings to the addicts and to their families, is an issue that must be presented without prejudice. The enforcement officers who conceived this project did so as a direct result of being affected by working on the streets witnessing that misery.

Bravo! Bravo!

Rarely am I impressed by initiative productions which “seemed like a good idea at the time” but somehow fall short of the desired impact at the time of screening.

I would like to congratulate your police force...

I would like to congratulate your police force for the fantastic video that your officers produced. I watch The Magazine almost on a nightly basis, and when I saw your presentation, I was totally taken aback… I believe this documentary would be a great teaching tool for volunteers to use in the struggle of drug abuse amongst teens in our province. I hope to make the children see what can happen to them if they choose to do drugs, even the soft ones.

I can’t thank you enough...

I can’t thank you enough for putting this documentary together and delivering it to the children of our future. I firmly believe that we can beat this problem, like the officer who talked about how we made it socially unacceptable to drink and drive or to smoke cigarettes. That is the difference I want to make in my lifetime – to stop the circle of destruction. Every little bit helps and every person helps. Thank you again.

I had the pleasure of attending the premiere...

I had the pleasure of attending the premiere showing of your documentary and wish to commend you for your excellence and your compassion. Our community is blessed because you care. We at the Economic Development Commission are trying to help solve these and other problems of the Downtown Eastside. We would live very much to assist you in your continuing efforts.

I am a 23-year-old film student...

I am a 23-year-old film student living in the downtown area and I caught “Through a Blue Lens” tonight. I’ll be honest…I cried. I cried for the families and the people themselves. Sometimes I wish death upon these people for maybe then, finally, their souls may rest. I also wish life for those with even the smallest glimmer of hope. Life that can be spent with loved ones and enjoyed as it should be. WE MUST NOT TURN OUR BACKS ON OUR FELLOW MAN but most of us, I believe, do not know how to help (besides giving money). How can we truly help? This is what keeps me from sleep tonight. I would like to end by saying every child in every school NEEDS to see this film, and should.

I just finished viewing the production of “Through a Blue Lens”...

I just finished viewing the production of “Through a Blue Lens” on the CBC and I find myself lost for words. I can’t recall being quite so affected by anything on the television before. You managed to put the East Side drug epidemic into its proper perspective. I congratulate every person who took part in this endeavour on a job well done. If this film helps to deter just one person from a life of drug addiction, then it was money well spent.

CONGRATULATIONS AND REALLY GREAT WORK...

CONGRATULATIONS AND REALLY GREAT WORK - I watched the CBC "magazine" showing of your video and I am very impressed and want to let you know that it was very very moving to see your film.. I saw a very brief still shot of a former client in the opening - he has OD'd since - and I hope you make a considerable and heartfelt impact on the horrendousness of the problem. It is important for people to know that seasoned police officers - the real and the imagined "supermen" [and women] - who are committed to working in the "worst" areas of our communities are sincerely and irrevocably touched by the stories of the people who live there. If we can believe that they are not disposable people and that we all need to listen and learn from the stories of even the most derelict and how vulnerable our children are, there is hope. I sincerely hope that with your message that we can turn this around - like we have with drunk driving - and maybe with a deeper understanding of our addictions - that you have very effectively showcased you will make a considerable difference. I would be happy to lend my name (after all Judge Judi is marketable!!) and my energy to your efforts if you can think of any way that I can help.

On December 2nd, 1999, you came to my school...

On December 2nd, 1999, you came to my school and did a presentation. It was very well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It presented a very strong message and one that will not be forgotten. Thank you for taking the time to create such a magnificent project so many people can benefit from it. I am currently in the criminology program and hope to be a police officer one day.

Congratulations...

Congratulations again – and again!
Judi Gedye (Dec. 9, 1999)

Hi - my name is...

Hi - my name is [********] from Lohfelden , Germany . Lohfelden is a small town (14.500 people) in the middle of Germany and we got - as everywhere - a lot of drug problems (especially with kids). Last week I saw a report about the police department of Vancouver and the way, you try to prevent the kids from using drugs. I was very impressed about the motion pictures you show in school. As I think, to show the consequences of using drugs like you do, is the only way to do something effective about drugs. So I like to ask you, if you can mail me further information about your program. I will give this information to our local mayor. Thanks a lot.

I saw the documentary on The National Magazine ...

I saw the documentary on The National Magazine tonight, and am profoundly moved. I think that this effort by the Odd Squad is far more powerful and effective than any other I’ve heard of in the “drug war.”

I just saw “Through a Blue Lens”...

I just saw “Through a Blue Lens” and, as a mother of two adult children who battled drug addiction and are now clean, it tore me a part. Thank God that we have the kind of police force we do. Their compassion really moved me, because, but for the grace of God, it could have been my own kids down there. The police never get the praise they deserve. Powerful film.