Member and Advocate SPOTLIGHT

Where we highlight some of our members and advocates from across Canada.

Our members do incredible work in their communities to raise awareness of the drug poisoning crisis in different ways.

Some facilitate our peer support groups Holding Hope and our peer bereavement support groups Healing Hearts, while others work in advocacy for MSTH in their communities and provinces.

To find out how YOU can become more involved please connect with us at info@momsstoptheharm.com

1. Why did you become a member of Moms Stop The Harm?

I became a member of Moms Stop The Harm because I had been searching for people speaking the same language as me. I didn’t even know what that language was called. Now I do. It’s the language of harm reduction. For years, I heard demeaning references towards people using drugs. They were “dirty” if they used. People were called crazy if they had a mental illness. This didn’t resonate with me. Instead, meeting people where they are at, using non stigmatizing language and compassion make more sense.

As a concerned citizen I’ve seen the difference it can make.

2. What areas of advocacy are you involved in?

I ask myself “What can I do to make an impact?” I’ve sent emails to municipal, provincial and federal officials. I’ve met with politicians on the entwined topics of substance use, mental illness, incarceration, and supportive housing. I’m working on a community arts project to give voice to vulnerable people.

I’ve thrown off the cloak of shame and take every opportunity to mention Moms Stop the Harm and my story. People can’t argue with my experience.

Our personal stories have an impact to broaden our reach and amplify our voices for change.

3. What is the best part about being a member of MSTH

The connection to a community of people in similar circumstances is powerful, humbling, painful yet rich with learning and insight.

The members in the Holding Hope community are excellent role models. They are full of wisdom, insight, compassion, grace and kindness.

4. What do you want people to know?

Most people who use drugs, from coffee and tea, wine, beer, chocolate or other things to alter moods. It takes the edge off. It’s a way to deal with stress or past traumas. There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’ when I comes to drug use.

I want people to know that drug use is not a choice, it is a health issue. CBC did an article on a nurse and a pharmacist who used drugs to cope with stress and pain. They were able to use a safe supply taken from their work places. Had they relied on street drugs they could have died before they were able to wean themselves off drugs. Addiction is not a choice. It is a health issue. Mental illness is not a choice, it is a health issue.

I want non stigmatizing language to be part of everyone’s vocabulary starting with preschoolers. Imagine having parents that use drugs not being able to cope with their own lives let alone care for their kids. Sesame Street even has some great videos out on this subject!

1. Why did you become involved with Moms Stop The Harm?

I became a member of MSTH after my partner, Riley Walz, died from draconian drug policies, or what most would call, an accidental drug poisoning in May 2021. 

I felt pretty alone in his death. I had lost friends; family didn't know how to talk about it or support me, and all I could do was sit in my own dreaded guilt and grief. 

One day I had been looking through Riley’s Facebook and saw a girl on there I hadn't seen before, Kari, I ended up checking out her Facebook and it was filled with "Overdose Awareness" posts. I decided to message her, and she sent me to Moms Stop The Harm, and I've been involved ever since.

2. What areas of advocacy are you involved in?

I am involved in multiple areas of advocacy among varying organizations. 

Some of the areas I have been involved in are drug policy, reducing stigma, substance use, harm reduction education, and drug checking.

In late 2021 I started my own volunteer based mobile outreach organization in Airdrie, AB that follows a harm reduction philosophy. The reason behind this, was because Airdrie lacked anything in relation to harm reduction, which resulted in Riley and I facing many barriers to accessing appropriate resources. Following that, I cohosted Airdrie's first IOAD event, an event that I've held dear to my heart ever since.

Thanks to MSTH, I was introduced to “The Alberta Alliance Who Educates and Advocates Responsibly” AAWEAR and began my journey in street level outreach, and supporting our most underserved community members in the central region, as well as in Calgary.

I just try to educate myself, and others in whatever way I can. I still have a lot to learn, but I think the part I'm most passionate about is reducing stigma, and providing education. See, when Riley and I were together, I didn't have a lot of information other than abstinence based recovery, and so that is all I pushed on him. Because of that, our relationship was rocky and I caused a lot of unintentional harm to not only him and his recovery journey, but to our relationship as well. 

My main goals with the advocacy I do, is to support people better than I was able to support Riley, and to do my best to make sure people are feeling seen, heard, and loved.

3. What is the best part of being a Moms Stop The Harm member & advocate?

I think the best part of being involved with MSTH is that I know I'm not alone in this journey. I’ve learned a lot in these last few years, but I know I still have a lot more to learn.

It's so nice knowing that there are people you can turn to, who just get it. They feel your pain with you, and don't shy away from it. They have your back when your faced with stigma, societal and structural violence against People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), and each person has so much knowledge and insight to offer. 

Most importantly, I've felt connected and understood here. I don't have to hide who I am, or the mistakes I've made. I can show up in whatever capacity I'm currently in, and everyone just seems to get it.

4. What do you want people to know about Moms Stop The Harm?

Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH) have support groups across Canada, they advocate for change locally, nationally, and internationally, and they offer educational webinars.

What started out as 3 moms fighting for change, has turned into a collective of inspirational and fierce advocates, who have your back. Whether you have a loved one still using substances, or if you've lost you're person due to substance use related harm or death.

1. Why did you become involved with Moms Stop The Harm?

I became involved in Moms Stop The Harm because I was terrified that we were going to lose my son TJ. TJ had become addicted to heroin and methamphetamines. It had become very clear to me that I did not have the tools or true understanding of what he was experiencing. It felt like the more I tried to help him the further I drove him away.

I was desperate to learn how I could reach him and help him ( hopefully save him) while he was so deep in his addiction. I felt powerless, hopeless and so very, very, alone. In a moment of complete hopelessness a friend of a friend who was living this same nightmare, told me about MSTH, a Canadian network of families and moms going through exactly what we were. Finding MSTH was finding a safe space where I didn't feel alone and I was able to learn about substance use disorder and learned to speak in a person first language, that immediately improved my interactions with my son! I found better understanding and I found hope! 

2. What areas of advocacy are you involved in?

I am involved with breaking stigma initiatives in my community, advocating for all pathways and meanings of recovery, advocating for basic human rights for all people. Since losing my son TJ on Jan 11, 2021, I have found healing and purpose in connecting with peers. I have been involved in building a community peer network/group. Our peer group has just been granted the funds for the downtown beautification and clean up initiative here with the city of Terrace, BC. We hope to build more connection and build healthy relationships with business owners locally.

I am involved in organizing an International Overdose Awareness Day event and advocating/advertising in the media around this event. For the past 3 years I have set up a memorial Christmas tree in our hospital honoring our loved ones, and sharing MSTH resources.

You can find me in the news speaking about what is happening in our correctional remand facilities, specifically the Edmonton Remand Facility, where TJ died. I have an online petition that you can sign and read the details and updates about what happened to TJ. #Justice4TJ.

There are times when I am busy advocating and other times I am resting and quiet so that I can get back out there when and how I am able, this is key to this work. I believe that small things are big things such as a smile, a conversation, a cup of coffee, anything and everything we can do to spread love and break stigma!

3. What is the best part of being a Moms Stop The Harm member & advocate?

The best part of being a member of MSTH is finding a community where it is safe to learn and to find support and hope in such a heart breaking hopeless time. The best part of advocating for me is finding a purpose and healing through this work, I have found connection and community. 

I truly do not know that I would still be here with out finding this community. Thank you MSTH for your support, connection and educational resources that enable me to grow and continue.

4. What do you want people to know about Moms Stop The Harm?

I want people to know that MSTH exists and that there is something very empowering and healing when you connect with others going through this same pain and tragic heartbreak. There is no pressure to be an advocate you can forever be a member and find supports and safe spaces to learn and hopefully find hope and healing.

There is something especially empowering and beautiful when you find your people who can look into your eyes and you into theirs and to be able to really,  truly be able to say ' I see you. "  MSTH is a whole community that you've never met, but they've " got you " at a time in your life when you need it the most!