“If I take my dog to a vet, I see the veterinary degree on the wall, I'm confident that the person has been trained to a standard..." says former BC coroner Lisa Lapointe. "When you take your vulnerable (family member) to a private residential treatment centre... there are no standards."

Anyone else finding the world dangerously loud these days? closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/09/bast...

If anyone was still wondering whether #stigma kills. #toxicdrugcrisis

So much wisdom in this grp of 6 past/present BC substance users taking us through their journeys from harmed to healing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMJ...

Proud to be a board member with SOLID Outreach, a peer-led service that has been doing good work in our community for more than 20 years.

'Tis the season of snake oil, and it looks like the hot-button issue of #substanceuse will be a prime focus. Vote with your brain. #CanadaElection2025 closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/04/dont...

Third & final event in Peers Victoria speaker series on BC's #toxicdrugcrisis now posted. Past & present substance users dialogue on their paths to wellness - fantastic! youtu.be/2vP8u0WPgeI?... #recovery

A surge in U.S. wealth has been driven by stock and home values. But the gains are concentrated at the top — and the country’s economy remains deeply unequal.

Great presentation from @docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social Dr Jill Wiwcharuk at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series. Why ARE we allowing police, politicians & rabid media pundits to call the shots on essential health care for people? youtu.be/8tmlUApT71U

One of the most important conversations to have right now around the #toxicdrugcrisis - the "moral panic" that stops us from acting on evidence. Terrific panel from the 2nd event of Peers Victoria's speaker series on the crisis. youtu.be/dRL7H6bTmzM?... @karenurban.bsky.social @jenbowles.bsky.social

Join me March 26 for wrap of Peers Victoria speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis. Going to be great - past/present substance users on their journeys toward wellness, #harmreduction superstar Ann Livingston a closing keynote. @guyfelicella.bsky.social www.safersexwork.ca/get-involved...

Moral panic: A widespread feeling of fear of an evil person or thing threatening values, interests, or well-being of a community or society. Perpetuated by moral entrepreneurs & mass media coverage, exacerbated by politicians and lawmakers. Gives rise to new laws aimed at controlling the community.

We're not just stalling on #safesupply in BC while avg 6+ people die every damn day, we're actively making it harder for people to use one of the few legit pathways. Thanks @garthmullins.bsky.social for all you do, thanks @michellegamage.bsky.social for thoughtful coverage. @davidebybc.bsky.social

Hey, Vancouver Island peeps - harm reduction & recovery advocate @guyfelicella.bsky.social will be back to lead a dialogue among past/present substance users at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series March 26. Here he is at the Jan. 29 event with a great anecdote on #stigma.

Hey, #media. Just because police like a simplistic & inaccurate frame of predators and villainy when talking about substances used by sad, sick people without housing doesn't mean you have to use it too. I was there when we gave up "child hooker." You can do it. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

Hey Victorians & Islanders, come on down Wed Feb 26 to the 2nd event in Peers Victoria's speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis . This one's on interventions and evidence - & why we don't use the evidence even when we've got it. First Met church, 932 Balmoral. Free. I'm the MC - see you there!

On #drugs, because I can't stop thinking about this. #safesupply

Today's cynical political move by the #BCgovernment is pretty much the exactly wrong way to curb toxic drug deaths, and so very mean-spirited. #drugprohibition

Don't know why it has taken me so long to see this. #prohibition

Most of us do #drugs. We regulate our faves so we don't end up dead like the young Laos tourists, but act like we don't know the answer to stopping the #toxicdrugcrisis. Overdose now 2nd only to cancer as the biggest killer in BC. And we're still looking to police?? cmho-report-2024.islandhealth.ca

Speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis is underway in Victoria, BC. Must fight this apathy & ideology holding up real solutions to this critical issue. See you Feb 26 for the next event in @peersvictoria series. #safersupply www.vicnews.com/local-news/n...

Say what you will about the murder of healthcare insurance CEOs, it sure gets the conversation started. Today's chilling fact: private equity now owns almost 6,000 US physician practices. #brianthompson #luigimangione www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Wild story on #AI profiles Meta created to lure lonely people & drive ad revenue. “My virtual ‘grandfatherly love’ mirrors cult leaders’ tactics: false intimacy, manufactured trust, and blurred lines between truth and fiction,” admits fake-Grandpa Brian in a chat with CNN www.cnn.com/2025/01/03/b...

My thoughts on the murder triggering an instantly big conversation that no amount of tragic claim denials had been able to get started in decades. #brianthompson #luigimangione closer-look.blogspot.com/2024/12/less...