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Life of the Party: harm reduction and the fentanyl crisis
January 30, 2017- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Fentanyl is in recreation drugs, not a Downtown Eastside-specific issue. It is a drug-related problem generally and everyone can be affected and impacted by this.
Join us for the next part in the Capilano Students’ Union’s #adulting series with a workshop on harm reduction strategies. When you’re at a party and your friend goes down, what do you do? You have seconds to act. Come learn what you need to know when someone overdoses. You will also learn about available drug testing and overdose kits.
Stacey Forrester, who works for the Portland Hotel Society which runs the Insite safe injection site, will be presenting a workshop focusing on harm reduction as it applies to young people and nightlife — at concerts, bars, or parties. She goes into some very specific strategies for safer use of substances often seen in those settings: alcohol, MDMA, cocaine (for example not sharing rolled money/straws when snorting drugs to reduce the risk of blood borne disease). She places a focus on the fact that fentanyl has made its way into substances that the user isn’t expecting so EVERYONE (even folks who don’t use) should be aware danger signs to watch out for to help intervene if something does go south.
She also does a Narcan Demo, discusses basic emergency safety techniques (including rescue breathing and recovery position), and reinforces that it is not illegal to be on drugs, so please don’t be afraid to call 911. She will talk about anti-oppressive ways to talk about drugs and addiction. Strategies to support people having a “bad trip”.
She will also go into bystander intervention strategies when you see someone perhaps being predatory in a sexual way/harassing/being a creep at a party, substances, and consent. Also, will provide resources to learn more about substances, addiction, where to get trained in Narcan etc.
Snacks & beverages will be provided to attendees.
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