ONLINE MEETING: Effective & Compassionate Drug Policy
This meeting is being hosted by the Social Justice Section.
| Speaker(s): |
Garth Mullins (he/him), Host and Executive Producer of Crackdown, Community Organizer
Kali Sedgemore (they/them), PHS Peer Supervisor, Molson Overdose Protection Site & Mobile Overdose Protection Unit, a youth peer supporter, VCH peer harm reduction leader, and outreach worker
Caitlin Shane (she/her), Staff Lawyer with Pivot Legal Society |
| Time: |
Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm (PT) |
| CPD Hours: |
1.50 hours |
Synopsis
These panel speakers will lead in an engaging and critical discussion on what a more effective and compassionate societal drug policy might look like. They will cover some of the major harms of drug prohibition and touch on the roles of each level of government in contributing to the failed war on drugs as well as the importance of including people with lived/living experience to inform law reform. They will speak about alternatives, including decriminalization and legal regulation, explaining what each approach is/nt and various models under each approach, and, in particular, discuss concerns raised by the recent proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act that include controversial powers for involuntary youth “stabilization care”.
Speaker Bios
Garth Mullins (he/him) is the host and executive producer of Crackdown. He is an award-winning documentarian and longtime community organizer. Garth has been an opioid user for years, injecting heroin daily all the way through the last overdose crisis, and is now on methadone. His work has also appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, CBC Radio One, and other media. Garth holds a masters degree in Political Sociology from the London School of Economics and is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of British Columbia. He has been a frequent public speaker at conferences, university and high school classes, in the media and at protests all over Canada.
Kali Sedgemore (they/them) is a PHS Peer supervisor at Molson Overdose Protection Site & Mobile Overdose Protection Unit, a youth peer supporter, Vancouver Coastal Health peer harm reduction leader, and an outreach worker. They are First Nations and harm reductionist, with a focus on youth harm reduction and stimulants. Through lived/ing experience with substance use, homelessness and government care, they advocate, educate, consult and bring awareness to these issues. Currently, they are President of the Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War.
Caitlin Shane (she/her) began working in the Downtown Eastside in 2010 as an outreach and mental health worker before attending law school at the University of Victoria. She has been a Staff Lawyer with Pivot Legal Society since 2015 where she works on multiple campaigns, including drug policy and housing.
Territorial Acknowledgement
This event will be broadcast from the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations. We encourage members to explore the rich history and knowledge of Indigenous people, and to continue learning about their experience in Canada past and present.
Webinar/Teleconference
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Disclaimer
Please ensure to sign-in with your full name at the meeting will result in de-registration. CBABC requires this as a record to confirm your attendance for this meeting for your CPD reporting (if applicable).
