Hello PAN world – As I am newer around here, I thought it would be great to offer you a bit of one of the worlds that I am coming from, and the people within it that have helped shape me – as a former nurse working in harm reduction as well as a current master’s in public health student. Doctors for Safer Drug Policy is an amazing group of people doing amazing work.
Doctors for Safer Drug Policy is a group of physicians (on Vancouver Island) who care for people who use substances and are advocating for safer, more compassionate, evidence-based healthcare policies. I am so grateful to know many doctors in this groups – and one of them – Dr. Kelsey Roden – was happy to talk about the group with me over coffee at Habit Coffee here on the unceded traditional territory of the Lekwungen Peoples, specifically the Songhees, Xwsepsum (Esquimalt), and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. Thanks Kelsey – let’s get started.
Can you tell me about the group – why did you form? where you all are? What are your main objectives?
What do you see as the biggest benefits of collective action?
What motivated the group to facilitate pop up Hospital Overdose Prevention Sites?
What successes have you seen?
What have been some learning challenges along the way?
Can you tell me about the responses you’ve received from across other BC regions and the country – and the toolkit you’ve created?
If you’d like more information on the toolkit, please visit their social media sites and reach out to them via message:
If you’d like to learn more, check out this interview Kelsey did with People First Radio.
Questions? Contact Emily Taylor-Lariviere, Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist: [email protected]