OverdoseAwarenessHNB

Do we blame treatment & recovery programs for people not maintaining sobriety? 🤔🤔 Many people on the streets have tried treatment before. Often many times. (In my case, dozens of times before it “took.”) But we don’t blame recovery because the toxic drug crisis is still ongoing. There are no angry protests out there about failing treatment programs. We understand this crisis is complicated, especially when the drugs are so poisonous, and addiction is a chronic relapsing condition. So why do people say harm reduction is “failing”? It’s not. Harm reduction services like drug checking, supervised consumption, provision of clean supplies, attachment to health care, social services and treatment, decrim and safer supply reduce injuries & disease & save lives EVERY SINGLE DAY. Harm reduction is succeeding. Has it solved the toxic drug crisis? HOW COULD IT? The toxic drug crisis won’t end until the drugs aren’t toxic. In the meantime, harm reduction gonna keep reducing harm. Treatment & recovery gonna keep treating and keep recovering. #ToxicDrugCrisis #HarmReduction #Treatment #Recovery #BCpoli

Another heartbreaking month: There were 184 unregulated drug deaths (June 2023) which equates to 6 deaths per day. In 2023, 70% of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and 77% were males. I want to point this out that it's happening in every community from all walks of life and most deaths occurred in private residences which could be a house like yours. Sadly, we have many people who are using or struggling in isolation and dying alone, some had issues and some did not but they all died due to the unregulated toxic drug supply. 💔💔💔 www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/l…

At 12 I started using drugs. At 14 I was incarcerated and made a ward of the court. At 16 I joined a gang & bounced through foster care. By 18, I was already fully immersed in crime, drugs & prison. By 23, I was fully addicted & homeless & facing multiple near fatal medical issues for years. At 42 I died 6 times. At 43 I got sober. At 44 I became a father. At 45 I got my first legitimate job in years. At 49 I did my 1st TEDx Talk. At 50 I became an International Public Speaker. Nobody thought I'd live past 30 & here I am. It's never too late to start over!

The leading cause of death in BC from the ages of 10 to 59 is illicit drug toxicity deaths. Many who do not struggle with addiction. Let that sink in.