CIE peer groups supported:
The Association for the Collaborative End to Stigma
ANKORS Cranbrook
Canadian Association for Safe Supply (CASS)
The CLEAN Team
Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War (CPDDW)
Coalition of Substance User of the North (CSUN)
Comox Valley Street Outreach
“Connections” (formerly the Sunshine Coast Drug User Collective)
Drinker’s Lounge
Indigenous Harm Reduction Team
Kandu-Kelowna Area Network of Drug Users
The Langley Community Action Team (CAT) Peer Group
Positive Living North (PLN)
The POUNDS Project
Raincity
SNOW
Unbroken Chain
Unnamed emerging peer group in Terrace
Vernon Entrenched People Against Discrimination (VEPAD)
Youth Peer Group (YPG)

For updates on this work and other related projects, go here.

The post Compassion, Inclusion, Engagement (CIE) appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

Compassion, Inclusion, Engagement (CIE) is a provincial partnership between the First Nations Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control to address stigma and discrimination experienced by people who use substances, particularly those who are Indigenous. As part of our Reducing Harms priority, the Foundation is thrilled to have raised $110,000 towards this incredible initiative that is supporting people with lived and living experience of substance use (peers) create change in their own communities.

CIE supports people with lived experience, primarily in remote and rural communities, in forming peer groups. Peer groups have been instrumental in advocating for the rights of people who use drugs and for meaningful change in drug policy that saves lives. CIE peer groups are empowered and supported in two ways: through skill and capacity building and through seed funding.

By providing capacity building support, these groups learn tangible skills in how to organize, develop a mission, learn about navigating group dynamics, grant writing, financial management and more. The seed funding that’s provided is to support their on-the-ground work, which ranges from operating peer-run overdose prevention sites, training and distribution of naloxone and harm reduction supplies, providing needle clean up, and providing employment and income to members.

Charitable donations to this program support both the skill building and seed funding, allowing peers to make a difference locally, in a way that is relevant to their members and community. This program is important to public health because of its ability to save lives in the context of a public health emergency, its proven success of reducing stigma associated with substance use, and because of the social determinants of health that it addresses.

There are always more peer groups and work to do. You can join the others who have made this work possible by making a gift to our reducing harms priority today. Follow along with us as we highlight some of the fantastic groups and their work in the coming weeks, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post Supporting Peers at a Grassroots Level appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

This year’s event featured a capitalist with a time machine, bringing historic public figures into 2019. As well as being fun and funny, the format allowed attendees to learn how different infectious diseases are transmitted and how outbreaks are solved, as well as scientific breakthroughs that have brought us to our present day medical advancements.

The sold –out event held on October 18th was a great way to inform the public of the work that the CDC does for the people of BC. By visiting clue booths staffed by actual CDC/Labs employees, attendees participated in activities that resulted in learning about things like what lab techs look for in a blood test to identify pathogens; how genome sequencing of a disease can track its spread and how other medical/scientific clues like insect bites can help epidemiologists identify what they might be dealing with.

In addition to the “clue” booths, many of the other programs at the CDC had info booths to help raise the profile of the work done at the BC Centre for Disease Control. Staff from TB, Hepatitis, STI clinic, Community Antimicrobial Stewardship and Harm Reduction, as well as the BCCDC Foundation team, were all present to share activities, treats and info with the 800 attendees.

These events wouldn’t happen without all the dedicated volunteers, so a big shout out to everyone who poured their hearts and brains into this event! If you want to ensure you know about events like this, and other activities, sign up for our newsletter and follow us @bccdcfoundation on social media.

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The post Newsletter #5: October 2019 appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

Moderated by BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry–basically BC’s Public Health Wonder Woman–this event will cover important topics like immunizations, sexual health, overdose crisis response, and the “how-to” of public health like laboratory work.

We’ll answer your most pressing questions with Q&A, and answer some of the questions you didn’t even know you had, like “what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in public health?” (hint: it has to do with the wrong end of a goat). Speakers include:

• Dr. Bonnie Henry, moderator and BC Provincial Health Officer
• Dr. Monika Naus, Medical Director of the Communicable Diseases & Immunization Services at BCCDC
• Dr. Troy Grennan, physician lead for Provincial HIV/STI Program at BCCDC
• Sara Young, Manager, Hepatitis and Harm Reduction Services at BCCDC
• Dr. Agatha Jassem, Clinical Microbiologist & Program Head, Virology, BCCDC Public Health Laboratory.

Join the BCCDC Foundation for this event which will also be the launch of a new public health podcast series, and learn about the often-invisible work happening in our province that keeps you safe every day. Superhero attire encouraged!

Date: Wednesday, August 7th, 2019.

Time: 7:30-9:00 pm.

Location: Science Theatre, Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver.

Link for free tickets: https://publichealthsuperheroes.eventbrite.com

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Held at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema in the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts in downtown Vancouver, attendees of the public event were invited to “imagine a future where people have access to a safe and regulated supply of substances” as the panelists discussed potential new models for drug policy grounded in compassion, human rights and public health.

Panelists included: Steve Rolles, Senior Policy Analyst, Transform Drug Policy Foundation (UK), Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto (CAN), Suzanne Fraser, Professor of Public Health, Curtin University (AUS), and Zara Snapp, Co-founder, Instituto RIA (MEX).

The moderator for the evening was Garth Mullins, activist, award-winning broadcaster and member of VANDU (the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users)…and the entire discussion was recorded to be later used on Garth’s podcast, Crackdown, which you can find here: https://crackdownpod.com ; however, this episode has a unique location: https://www.patreon.com/posts/26919719

Over 300 attended in person, but thousands will be reached via the podcast.

One of our priority areas at the BCCDC Foundation is “Reducing Harms” – we believe in and value dialogues and projects that foster a way forward that puts compassion, human rights and public health at the forefront – and we will continue to offer and support activities such as this event.

The post BCCDC Foundation Supports “Systems Change: Envisioning a Canada Beyond Prohibition” appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

Titled, “Systems Change: Envisioning a Canada Beyond Prohibition”, the international panelists will discuss imagining a future where people have access to a safe and regulated supply of substances. The event will be moderated by Garth Mullins: activist, award-winning broadcaster and member of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and will be recorded for his podcast “Crackdown”.

Panelists include: Steve Rolles, Senior Policy Analyst, Transform Drug Policy Foundation (UK); Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Professor, Sociology, University of Toronto (CAN), Suzanne Fraser, Professor, Public Health, Curtin University (AUS) and Zara Snapp, Co-founder, Instituto RIA (MEX).

To register for this FREE event, claim your tickets here on Eventbrite

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Just prior to the panel discussion, a traditional welcome was provided by Robert Williams of Culture Saves Lives. The panel itself included experts in front line care/medical workers and people with lived experience. Jonathan Deakin from BC EHS, Erica Thompson from Fraser Health, and Robert Williams (mentioned above) joined Drs Jane Buxton and Mark Tyndall of the BCCDC. Moderated by Donald MacPherson, Executive Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, the panel discussed what harm reduction efforts have been and what they can/should be, with regards to the ongoing overdose crisis. The audience had plenty of questions for the panelists.

After the discussion, there was time for break-out discussions that allowed the conversations to continue. “Harm Reduction 101” and “What’s Next” were well attended and provided attendees an opportunity to develop a better understanding of harm reduction strategies and actions needed, and encouraged dialogue around how to change the narrative and reduce stigma.

A number of community organizations had booths onsite providing additional information about what they’re doing to include harm reduction in their programming, including offering Naloxone training to anyone present who wanted to learn. Street Saviours, OPS (Overdose Prevention Society), RainCity Housing, Karmik, Pacific Association of First Nations’ Women, TORO (Tenant Overdose Response Organizers) and Moms Stop the Harm were some of the organizations in attendance.

The Foundation is pleased to continue our ongoing relationship with Science World to assist them in their goal of being a community hub where they can be a part of the response to issues facing our community. Stay tuned for future event announcements.

The post Important Conversations on Harm Reduction appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

Experts from BCCDC, Fraser Health and BC Emergency Health Services, among others, will participate in a panel discussion that will aim to help the general public better understand the concept of harm reduction, including best practices and initiatives that look to increase acceptance. Confirmed panelists include Dr. Mark Tyndall and Dr. Jane Buxton, of the BC Centre for Disease Control, Erica Thomson of Fraser Health, and Brian Twaites of BC Emergency Health Services. The panel moderator will be Donald MacPherson, the Executive Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.

After the panel discussion, there will be time for a Q&A, and opportunity for small group dialogue sessions and workshops that can continue the conversations around harm reduction.

A number of relevant community groups/organizations will have exhibition booths that attendees can explore to find out what the groups are doing regarding harm reduction and what they (attendees) can do to help.

To register, click through to the Science World website. (link removed when event closed)

The post BCCDC Foundation Continues Partnership with Science World: A Discussion on Harm Reduction appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

The BCCDF Foundation for Public Health teamed up with Science World to host a murder mystery event for Halloween 2018!

Attendees were tasked with using science to solve the crime. they had just two hours to identify the killer, poison, how the poison was administered, and the motive.

“It is so much fun to see how enthusiastic attendees are to have access to our BCCDC folks and to use real science to solve a mystery, ” said Kristy Kerr, Executive Director of the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health. “I am thankful for our partnership with Science World and everyone who volunteers because it allows us to share that”

The event was set at a sci-fi fan convention and the BCCDC was there to warn attendees of something known as ConCrud, which is what happens when you pick up an infection or illness at a convention.

“Our partnership with Science World continues to produce rewarding and entertaining events, “said Dr. Mark Tyndall, Executive Medical Director of the BCCDC. “It is a great way to showcase the things that we do in a way that is easy to understand” These events provide unparalleled access to our science and the people who do the work. I am grateful to the BCCDC staff who participate and to the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health for their dedication to raising awareness about our work and public health.”

By participating in activities at the booths, participants could earn clues to help solve the mystery. Keenan Simmons, who attended the event with a group of about 10 friends, found it challenging. “You never know who [the killer] is, you’re not confident in your answer,” he said.

Julianne Beauchamp, another attendee and part o the same group as Simmons, was certain about the substance she identified as the poison. “It can kill you by injecting, touching or ingesting so there’s lots of ways he could have died,” she said.

About 1,200 people attended over the two-night event, held October 25 and 26. Some fans got right into the Halloween spirit and dressed up in costumes or as their favourite sci-fi characters.  “It was super fun I will come back next year,” said Beauchamp.

The post Murder Mystery Fun…and Educational! appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.