To The Point

Produced by: 
Prevention Point Philadelphia
Year: 
1997
Duration: 
00:13:00

Individual Film Price:

Higher Education Institutions & Government Agency DVD | $49.95
K-12 & Public Libraries DVD | $49.95
Home Video DVD License – Restrictions Apply | $5.95

 

 


Community Visions Compilation Price:

This video is available for purchase as part of a Community Visions Vol. 6 compilation DVD.

Higher Education Institutions & Government Agency DVD | $139.00
K-12 & Public Libraries DVD | $79.00
Home Video DVD License – Restrictions Apply | $20.00

 

 


Scribe Video Center Program:

The Community Visions program teaches documentary video-making skills to members of community organizations in Philadelphia, Chester and Camden (NJ). A powerful way to document community concerns, celebrate cultural diversity, and comment on the human condition, Community Visions is a part of Scribe’s mission to explore, develop and advance the use of video, film, audio and interactive technology as artistic tools and as tools for progressive social change.

 


Project Facilitators: Ryan Saunders and Wanda Moore, with Cindy Wong and Keith Fulton

 


Film Summary:

Does everyone, no matter who they are or what they do, have a fundamental right to health and safety? Prevention Point Philadelphia thinks so, and has since its inception in 1991 as a grassroots, volunteer organization conducting syringe exchange when it was still very much an illegal activity. To the Point documents the struggles and triumphs of this long-time needle exchange program committed to protecting the health and rights of habitual drug users and sex industry workers.

The video visits some of Prevention Point's needle exchange sites in Philadelphia and gives viewers an eye-opening glimpse of its on-site medical care and matter-of fact info sessions with exchangers about a variety of healthcare issues. Even though it has often been said -- and Prevention Point staffers continue to hear -- that needle exchange encourages the use of drugs, evidence has not supported that. In areas with needle exchange sites drug use has not increased, and, more importantly, the spread of HIV has decreased considerably. Amazing what a little nonjudgmental prevention and care services can do. Get the point?

Prevention Point Philadelphia works to provide safe and human alternatives to the war on drugs. Since its off-the-radar and illegal beginnings in 1991, they have grown into a recognized, multi-service public health organization that continues its commitment to a community-based model that seeks to minimize the adverse consequences of injection drug use and sex work, such as HIV or Hepatitis C infection. Prevention Point staffers and volunteers meet drug users where they are, providing information and access to treatment for people with dignity and respect. They promote harm reduction through syringe exchange, medical care, social services, and referrals to drug treatment.

 


Press: 

April 2002 | Brief mention in "Scribe Celebrates 20th Anniversary," The Independent