MSTH Regional Updates - Spring 2020
Find out what MSTH advocates and leaders in various regions have been working on.
If you have a story and some photos to share, please send it to Jennifer Howard for the next issue.
Quebec
Isabelle Fortier, Montreal
Every February since 2014, Fondation Jean Lapointe organizes a fundraising event called “Défi 28 Jours Sans Alcool/28 Days Sober”. Thousands of people pledge to stay sober for the full month of February while giving/collecting funds that go directly to a drug and alcohol prevention and risks reduction program. This is offered to high school students from secondary 1 through 5. More than 492,000 students have received these workshops since 2008!
This is the biggest fundraiser in Quebec in terms of public awareness. The focus is on advocating for safe behaviors in youth when it comes to using drugs and alcohol. This year I’ve been asked to become a regional ambassador for the Défi, which I’ve accepted with great honour. We created a team #PourSaraJane, in memory of my daughter and raised more than $6,150.00 to help reach the $550,000.00 provincial goal. We have connected with thousands of people, relayed important information regarding substance use disorder, shared Sara-Jane’s story, and opened eyes and hearts. This has been a wonderful journey, bound to be repeated next year! Thanks to Petra Schulz, who connected me with the Foundation's people while we were attending CCSA’s meeting last November. This has been a perfect match for me!!!
Ontario
Sheila Jennings, Toronto
Sheila Jennings and other participants with the #StigmaEndsWithMe message at the School Matters federal forum in Toronto.
Amnesty has endorsed and posted on their website an Opioid Crisis Human Rights Statement that Sheila was invited to work on with several other advocates: physician Bonnie Larsen, Amnesty Canada's Charlene Scharf and Catherine Sauve, Professor Rebecca Saah. Law professor Lorian Hardcastle, Dr. Alan Yao-Chi Chu and others This had to do with the current Alberta governments regressive and harmful Safe Consumption Site policy.
On February 11-12, 2020, Sheila attended a full two day federal forum called School Matters: Building a Blueprint for Action for School Communities to Help Prevent Substance Use Harms. The aim was to re-evaluate and reframe our existing approaches to preventing substance-related harms, including those that impact youth. The forum included the aim of considering opportunities to better integrate evidence-based approaches to preventing substance-related harms in the context of Canadian school communities. Sheila spoke at Humber-Guelph University February 19 to a group of students in the graduate program for Public Administration about the ways in which MSTH advocates in areas of government policy making.
Simcoe Moms For Overdose Awareness - Evelyn Pollock
We have a formed a very active moms’ group in Simcoe County Ontario. We call ourselves: Simcoe Moms For Overdose Awareness. Some members of the group, including the leader Evelyn Pollock are also members of MSTH.
We started a self-funded Forever Campaign in September 2019 to remember our children who died of opioid overdose. Our goal is to raise awareness and save lives, one life at a time. We developed and launched a poster with the faces of 14 of our children.
A local newspaper, the Barrie Advance, joined us as partners. The Barrie Advance, is the only newspaper in Canada, to devote an entire edition to the opioid crisis (September 26, 2019). Since that issue, they have included front page stories of interviews with affected moms and stories related to the opioid crisis on a weekly basis. Each week for the past few months our moms group has paid for a banner with a photo and short statement about one of our children in local papers. (Examples below)
We advocate locally and with Municipal, Federal and Provincial politicians, to raise opioid overdose awareness and influence change. On February 19, 2020 we worked with a local sponsor to put on an awareness forum called Orillia Talks. The event was overwhelmingly successful and, despite a snowstorm, drew over 200 community members, and many affected families. Photo below of some of our moms wearing red scarves.
We have started an online petition to the demand the Prime Minister declare an opioid overdose public health emergency. To date we have over 11,000 signatures. We urge all members if MSTH to sign and share this petition.
We are working with our local Member of parliament, Bruce Stanton, Deputy Speaker if the House of Commons, to bring the petition to Ottawa.
The Grim Reaper - by Lorna Thomas and Phil Haug.
Alberta
Lorna Thomas, Edmonton
It has been an incredibly busy few months. I was part of a team of 15 people that organized a rally in Edmonton on February 27th that brought 13,000 people to ‘March for What Matters.” Teachers, harm reduction activists, health sciences workers, the disabled,nurses, doctors, parents, and students all marched (or wheeled) from downtown to the Alberta Legislature to show their resistance to the policies of the current United Conservative Party. I am also part of a group that coordinated the February 29th rallies that took place in towns and cities across the Province. That group helped to promote the rally that took place on February 26 wherein 150+ people, including myself, participated in a ‘die-in’ to show support for Supervised Consumption Sites. As a person living in Alberta with a provincial government that puts profit over people, a government that is so dangerous for vulnerable populations, such as persons who use drugs, I recognize the need to form new allies. We must build capacity in order to facilitate the changes we want to see such as drug policy reform and wrap-around addiction services. We must resist the dangerous funding cuts the UCP government are implementing because they have a vision of privatizing health care and creating for-profit schools. We must find creative ways to resist. To that end I am meeting regularly with like minded artists to build things that will draw attention. One of the creations of our Alberta Arts Matter Coalition is this giant 15 foot puppet which symbolizes the darkness, the tragedy, the void, that is sweeping across our Province. We will resist!
Petra Schulz, Edmonton
The election of a new government in Alberta brought with it a review of supervised consumption services (SCS) and protecting these services has been a focus of my efforts in the last few months. MSTH has joined the coalition Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy and together we held powerful rallies in Calgary and Edmonton on February 26th that were attended by about 150 of our supporters. This is featured in a blog post about our rally included in this issue.
#Yes2SCS supporters gather at the Legislature in Edmonton, supported by Friends of Medicare.
Some of the work I do for MSTH takes me to Ottawa to be the voice of families on a national level. I participated in a meeting co-organized by the Canadian Public Health Agency to discuss ways to measure and address structural stigma in the health system. It is important that we as families who, together with our loved ones, experience this stigma first hand, can shape needed changes.
I am returning to Ottawa mid March for a “Public Education Partnership” meeting for communication specialists to help them be more effective in their messaging and for an advisory group meeting with the Canadian Centre For Substance Use and Addiction, together with Deb Hale-Bailey from Vancouver who is filling in for Leslie.
On a local level I continue to give talks to nursing students and to many other community groups to spread the harm reduction message, often in conjunction with our friends from Streetworks, who provide on-site Naloxone training.
Our Edmonton team is really excited to host the annual general meeting #MSTH2020 and together with our chief organizer Angela Welz and her team we have put together an exciting agenda. Don’t delay, register today to join us in Edmonton from May 29 to 31 for our Annual General Meeting.
Tyla Savard, Grande Prairie
Our Community Opioid Response Task Force is building an action plan based on the 4 pillars. We are putting together advocacy action items, communication plans and much more. Finally, things are coming together where there is huge positive impact and community engagement. Everyone is encouraged to check out the website we have created www.everyoneisimpacted.com where we host an array of support services for individuals and families to navigate systems. The site also hosts a video series we launched last spring giving the local perspective and understanding of the impact of the opioid crisis and our community. I’m also a part of the Peace Country Drug Awareness Coalition who are planning various community engagement opportunities to connect with all demographics, raise education and come together to create positive connections at various times throughout the year verses only at International Overdose Awareness Day.
I’ve recently been given the opportunity to work with Alberta Health Services who partnered with the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addictions to execute the Improving Treatment Together program. It will include community workshops with those with lived experience. It will involve ensuring that first hand experience/knowledge is included in the resource materials. It’s a 12-18 month project and is taking place in various Alberta communities.
British Columbia
Sandra Tully & Sherry Robinson. Kamloops
The Kamloops Silent Night Memorial Tree was warmly welcomed at the Kamloops North Shore Library over Christmas 2019. As the Librarian expressed on the TV news, “The Library is like the living room of the community.” The library staff welcomed the presence of the memorial tree near the front entrance where many people openly commented about its beauty and tribute to the loved ones lost to substance use related causes. The presence of the tree opened up casual conversation and acknowledgment of the ongoing crisis. Members of the Kamloops MSTH and Healing Hearts support group came out to set up and decorate the white tree that was donated by the Kamloops Canadian Tire store. As well, various decorations were also donated by Second Chance SPCA Christmas Thrift Store and local families. Ornaments were available that could be decorated and personalized. This provided a way for the community to interact in an inclusive way and also facilitated time for people to have discussions. This included front line workers who came to visit to acknowledge their grief at losing so many people important to them. We are so pleased that the Library has welcomed us back again for Christmas 2020.
Helen Jennens, Kelowna
November was Addiction Awareness month. In respect of that, MSTH members Arlene Howe and Pam Turgeon shared their lived experience at an event put on by Interior Health.
Members of MSTH Okanagan at the Welcome Inn opening. L2R front row: Helen Jennens, Pam Turgeon, Deana Rainey, Carrie Koskii. Back row: Kirsten and Jorin Wolf, Arlene Howe, Anne-Marie Honkenen & Jill McCullum.
I had a speaking engagement at a Grade 12 psychology class which I love doing as the kids are so engaged and give me great feedback. We started a blanket and warm clothing drive for the homeless and shared our love with a hundred street entrenched community members. We raised funds( primarily among ourselves) and put together Christmas packages for the Hope Society which support women living on the streets. Our beautiful MSTH cross photo started its twenty-six week run on a digital billboard. It is visually prominent as you enter or leave our city. In February, I spoke with a UBCO psychology class. The presentation focused mainly on MSTH, our goals as a network and the work we do to reach them. On April 18th we have organized a walk through Kelowna promoting decriminalization. On May 9th, together with Interior Health, we will host a photo voice exhibit at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The photos will remain there for the month of May. May is usually the kick off month to our meetings as we prepare to organize for International Overdose Awareness Day.
Jill McCullum, Oliver
Apparently ‘great oaks from little acorns grow’...
The Moms Stop The Harm acorns planted to date in the Oliver BC region are many and continue to grow! Two BC Transit buses in Penticton displayed the “Stop Overdose” signage and great efforts were made in the distribution of the new MSTH pamphlet to critical sites in Penticton and Oliver BC.
Plans are underway as we organize a guest speaker as a MSTH fundraiser for April 2020 in Penticton BC. Attendance at this event will be by donation with all proceeds channeled towards MSTH. In addition, the creation of a thank you postcard was made in collaboration with MSTH artist and mother Arlene Howe. The promotion of MSTH as an important resource for families in the South Okanagan BC has been achieved through an amalgam of grief, a desire to effect positive change, and love. It has taken a collective of dedicated loved ones and a receptive audience to make this happen. I am indebted to the support given to MSTH in my region.
Nancy Murphy, Victoria - Holding Hope
Under the umbrella of MSTH, Holding Hope Victoria launched support groups for families affected by their loved ones substance use starting in the Fall of 2019. There were three pilot group locations held throughout the Victoria region. The groups were at a maximum capacity of 12 participants. As we look ahead to 2020 we are looking forward to partnering with the Songhees Nation and will be starting a support group at the Songhees Wellness Centre.
MSTH Holding Hope has a strong educational component to the group. A variety of guest speakers are often invited to speak with our families. Guest speakers have included: BC Provincial Health Officer - Bonnie Henry, Bernie Pauly (Professor at the University of Victoria School of Nursing and a scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance use Research), Evan James (Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health), Lana Fine (Harm Reduction worker at Aids Vancouver Island), Shauna Janz (Grief Counsellor) and many more. Holding Hope continues to provide invaluable support to families in Victoria BC. We are looking forward to expanding our groups in other regions. If you are interested in starting a Holding Hope group in your community, please contact Nancy Murphy via email
Victoria and Vancouver Island MSTH regional gathering.
Jennifer Howard, Victoria
On November 24th, 2019 Moms Stop The Harm members joined forces with the South Island Community Overdose Response Network to stage a loud protest outside the conference centre where the annual convention of the Provincial NDP party was taking place. A critical resolution for “Safer Supply & Decriminalization” was being tabled. Over 700 delegates attended. We were happy to see that the resolution passed without a single vote against it.
In January 2020, Victoria kicked off a BC writing campaign “Mom’s Stop The Harm New Year’s Resolution” as a way to continue putting pressure on our Provincial government to follow through on the NDP party resolution of “Safer Supply & Decriminalization”.
Victoria Healing Hearts Bereavement Support participants gathered to enjoy a moment of fellowship over a Christmas luncheon in December. It was an opportunity to support each other through a very difficult month. Healing Hearts Victoria has recently connected with the local Hospice and will be supporting their efforts to start a closed 6 week support group specific to Substance Related loss in the Spring 2020.
Our Victoria/Vancouver Island regional members gathered for a networking and brainstorming session on January 24th. We will continue to hold quarterly meetings in the coming year. Moving forward MSTH Victoria will be taking the lead as we begin plans for three events in the new year: A Mother’s Day of Action (May 10th/2020), International Overdose Awareness Day (August 29, 2020) and a regional group photo in the Spring.
Introducing Jennifer Howard, MSTH Program Manager
MSTH Program Manager Jennifer Howard is based in Victoria, BC.
I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself to the general MSTH membership in this newsletter. I feel very privileged to be working in a new role as Program Manager with Moms Stop The Harm. My journey with Moms Stop The Harm began in 2016 when I lost my only child Robby to Fentanyl poisoning. Like many MSTH families my life has forever changed and Robby’s loss propelled me down an unexpected path of advocacy. After working for over 30 years with a non profit agency in Community Living services and foster parenting for over 20 years, I am energized to bring that knowledge and experience to my work with MSTH. MSTH is now receiving National and International recognition. Our membership has grown rapidly. With that growth in mind, I will be focusing on supporting MSTH Co Founders and the leadership team in the very important work they are doing across Canada. Developing structure, policies and procedures that will compliment our growth and recognition will be part of my role. I will also continue to sit as a Mom Stop The Harm representative on the South Island Community Overdose Response Network (SICORN), the Sicorn lobby group for Safe Supply & Decrim and oversee the Healing Hearts Bereavement group development for BC. I am but one of an army of advocates throughout this amazing network of families. I feel very honored to be working with our leadership and MSTH members to ensure that those most vulnerable in our communities receive the support they so rightfully deserve.
Our Newsletter Team: MSTH Program Manager Jennifer Howard, and Millie Schulz, our website and technical advisor (Photo at Recovery Day in Victoria in 2018), with content and formatting help by Angela Welz and Petra Schulz
