Philippe Lucas is currently a Master’s candidate in the University of Victoria’s Studies in Policy and Practice program, and a Graduate Research Fellow with the Center for Addictions Research of B.C. A former local school teacher and childcare specialist, he is currently Executive Director of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, and the co-Director of Compassionate Consulting, a private consultancy firm focused on public and community health research. Additionally, he is Director o
f Communications for DrugSense, an international drug policy think-tank based in California. This work has led to some interesting opportunities, including invitations to testify before both the Canadian Senate and House of Commons as an expert on drug policy, and consultations with a number of American and international governmental bodies, including being invited to meet with the Israeli Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv in August 2007 to discuss their nascent medical cannabis program. Philippe’s hard work and research has also led to some recognition and awards, including the University of Victoria’s Blue and Gold Award for community service and academic achievement in 2007, and the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition Award for Leadership.
He has been married to his lovely wife Mary since 2002, and they have just enjoyed the birth of their little girl Sophie on September 27th. Mary holds a Master’s in Art History from UVic and currently works as Executive 
Director of HepCBC, as the Director of the Values-Based Business Network, and as an administrator at the Vancouver Island School of Art.
Philippe is an active member of the Committee to End Homelessness in Victoria, Harm Reduction Victoria, and also volunteers with FoodRoots and the Quadra Village Garden Group. 
He is a former member of the City of Victoria Downtown Advisory Committee, and as an internationally recognized drug policy and addictions researcher, he currently serves on the Center for Addictions Research of B.C.’s Board of Advisors.
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Curriculum Vitae
Philippe G. Lucas
D.O.B.: July 24th, 1969
EDUCATION
University of Victoria – Master’s Candidate in Studies in Policy and Practice
- September 2006 to present
University of Victoria - Post-Degree Certificate in Secondary Education (English and Theatre)
- completed 04/97
- member of the Student Teacher Advisory Committee
- member of the Secondary Program Council (overseeing the reform of the Department of Education Secondary Program)
Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario) - B.A. English Literature - 1991
WORK EXPERIENCE
Vancouver Island Compassion Society – Victoria, BC.
October 1999 to present
Founder and Director – duties include research and administration of non-profit medicinal cannabis organization.
DrugSense – Porterville, California
March 2001 to present
Director of Communications for California-based drug policy think-tank.
Compassionate Consulting – Victoria, B.C.
January 2007 to present
Executive Director of Victoria-based community health consultancy.
Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia – Victoria, B.C.
September – December 2006
Contracted research associate on substitution effect literature review and meta-study.
Elizabeth Buckley School - Victoria, BC.
September 1999 to July 2000
French teacher for grade 2 and 3 students in progressive alternative school.
Brentwood Bay Elementary School After School Program and Summer Camp - Brentwood Bay, B.C.
September 1998 to August 1999.
Childcare worker in after school program and summer camp counselor.
Esquimalt Secondary School - Victoria, B.C.
January 1997 to May 1997
Practicum placement. Taught English 8 & 9, and Theatre 9/10.
Sir James Douglas Out of School Club - Victoria BC.
September 1995 to May 1997
Assistant Supervisor at the after-school care program for 20 children aged 5-11.
Victoria YMCA Sunbird Summer Daycamp - Victoria, B.C.
June 1995 to August 1995
Counselor in middle program overseeing 20 children aged 6 to 10.
VOLUNTEER WORK & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Harm Reduction Victoria – 03/08 – present
FoodRoots - Quadra Village Farmers Market – 02/07 – present
Voices of Substance – 10/05 – present
Committee to End Homelessness in Victoria – 09/06 - present
City of Victoria Downtown Advisory Committee – 01/03 - 07/06
Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society of Victoria – 11/06 – 06/07
AWARDS/ADVISORY POSITIONS/OTHER
Harm Reduction National Program Advisory Committee. York University. October 2007 – present
UVic Blue and Gold Award. University of Victoria, 2007. Award for academic achievement, volunteerism and community service.
Graduate Research Fellow - Center for Addiction Research of British Columbia
2006-2008.
Center for Addition Research of British Columbia Advisory Board
2005 - present
Americans for Safe Access Medical Advisory Board
2005 – present
City of Victoria Downtown Advisory Committee
Member and Vice-Chair, 2003-2006.
Vancouver Island Civil Liberties Association Leadership Award 2002. Vancouver Island Civil Liberties Association
Member of the Hillside-Quadra Neighbourhood Action Group
Member of Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Member of the Sierra Club of Canada
Member of the Values-Based Business Network
LANGUAGES
Fluently bilingual in English and French