A POZITIVE PATHWAY TO MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY’RE AT.
Our roots and core are the base of our existence. We acknowledge our deep history in the community and to the collective AIDS movement. Our mission and vision are grounded in the values developed by all of those we’ve lost, those who have experienced stigma and discrimination, our long-time survivors, activists and allies. This is the basis for the many branches of people we serve today and provides the strength that drives our work into the future.
International Overdose Awareness Day
Held on August 31st, International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event meant to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends. It was first initiated in 2001 in Australia by SJ Finn who was managing a needle and syringe program at the Salvation Army Crisis Centre in St. Kilda, Victoria. It’s first day saw 6,000 silver ribbons distributed across the country and into New Zealand. Since then, the day has grown and is now recognized in over 40 countries.
Why do people use drugs?
- To have self-confidence and feel good
- Availability – some drugs are easier to access as they are cheaper
- Drugs can suppress your appetite, which may be relevant to a person experiencing an eating disorder or experiencing food insecurity
- For persons who are unhoused, stimulants help them stay alert and protect them from theft or assault
- A belief that the drug helps them with their work or school performance
- To help alleviate physical pain
- To help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders
- To numb emotional pain
- To help cope with difficult life situations
Decriminalize & Legalize
- There is a growing consensus among Canadian public health and policy experts that criminal penalties for drug possession has resulted in extremely harmful situations and potential death of persons who use drugs. When persons who use drugs are stigmatized, it reduces their likelihood of accessing health services, including harm reduction services such as needle syringe programs, consumption and treatment services, etc.
- Reducing or removing the penalties can encourage persons who use drugs to be more up front with public health professionals, and more likely to access harm reduction-based services that would reduce the risks of overdose deaths and HIV or Hep C transmissions.
- Decriminalization and/or legalization would save law enforcement dollars that could then be redirected towards education and prevention, as well as social interventions that promote the health of persons who use drugs and their families.
Whatever a person’s reasons are for using drugs, we must understand as both service-providers and community members that these reasons are important and entirely valid. Rather than judge a person for their coping strategies, we should try to “meet them where they are at” and express empathy and compassion.
SERVICES WE OFFER
We offer a wide array of services and educational opportunities aimed at reducing stigma and social isolation through knowledge enhancement of the various social determinants of health that impact some of our community’s most vulnerable members.