STAR COLUMNIST JOE FIORITO HONOURED FOR STORIES ON ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH

Toronto Star columnist Joe Fiorito has been honoured for his
continuous advocacy for people struggling with mental health and
addiction issues.

Fiorito was named the 2011 Gordon Bell Journalism Award winner by
Addictions Ontario for sharing evocative stories of people
marginalized by society.

The Gordon Bell award pays tribute to journalists who promote
understanding and action in addressing issues related to addiction
and mental health.

"I'm completely delighted," Fiorito said. "I'm very flattered."

Laura Bhoi, president of Bellwood Health Services, said Fiorito was
given the honour because of his consistent stories about people who
are struggling with addiction.

"He's a great health advocate," said Bhoi. "Through his stories he
helps to reduce the stigma that is related to addiction, poverty and
other mental health issues."

Fiorito's columns have taken aim at problems with community housing,
an overburdened health-care system, and the shortfalls of funding for
addiction clinics. He has written passionately about drug-addiction
in Toronto, stressing the need for a focus on harm-reduction instead
of punishment.

At the core of each of his columns is a gripping, personal story.

"There's no story without an individual at the centre of it," he
said. "All kinds of things happen on very large levels, but there
isn't a single story that isn't best told through one person."

By sharing these stories, Bhoi says, Fiorito gives readers a sense of
how real and important these issues really are.

"These are people struggling, and these are people who deserve to
have their stories told," she said.

Fiorito will receive the award at the annual Addictions Ontario
conference on May 31.