Open Heart Collaborative

Harm reduction speakers event will be live streamed at 2:30 - T-minus 2 hours!

here is a link to the VIU HRA Instagram Page, where the Panel event will be live-streamed: https://www.instagram.com/viu_hra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

The link to their Instagram can also be found on the VIU HRA website. Under “Upcoming Events” & “Harm Reduction Education Panel”: https://sites.google.com/view/viuhra/viu-hra/upcoming-events/harm-reduction-education-panel

Harm Reduction - Harm Reduction Education Panel Join us for our Harm Reduction Education Panel, an event designed to deepen understanding of harm reduction and its importance in the Nanaimo community. This session brings together experienced voices in harm reduction, nursing, Indigenous community education, and lived experience to offer diverse

Free on December 2nd? Want some Narcan training? Want to see some crazy awesome speakers? Hit up VIU 2-5PM for an afternoon with the baddies of Nanaimo Harm Reduction.

Share, care, and be safe! :)

Curious about harm reduction? Mark your calendars! Come learn, ask questions, and challenge stigma!

📅 Date: December 2, 2024
⏰ Time: 2:00–5:00 PM
📍 Location: Malaspina Theater (Bldg. 310)
💰 Entry: FREE, no registration required!

Join us to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and foster a safer, more supportive community while learning about harm reduction and the impact of the Toxic Drug Crisis. 💜

Featuring:
• Corey Ranger, RN – President, Harm Reduction Nurses Association
• Dr. Jessica Wilder – Co-Founder, Doctors for Safer Drug Policy
• Edward Joe – Indigenous Harm Reduction Educator, First Nations Health Authority
• Lenae Silva – Co-Founder, Open Heart Collaborative; individual with lived experience and Indigenous artist

The Harm Reduction Education Panel includes:
✅ Speaker presentations
✅ Q&A session
✅ Free drop-in naloxone training
✅ Harm reduction supplies
✅ Refreshments
… and more!

LearnAndEngage FreeEvent QandA HarmReductionEducationPanel HarmReductionSavesLives Nanaimo

Mixing art, advocacy, and lighting that fire in our hearts!

If you are in the E.R., or Hospital in Nanaimo General, please access Island Healths new Harm reduction machine. This is also a life saver for those having to purchase syringes for other life saving medical issues, HRT and Insulin comes to mind. Harm reduction is for everyone! Open Heart provided feedback around some of the ways to reduce stigma, and includes art by one of our Co-Founders. We also made it to the Times Colonist

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/outdoor-vending-machines-filled-with-harm-reduction-supplies-coming-to-three-island-hospitals-7705005

Island Health is introducing three Care and Connection Kiosks at hospitals in Campbell River, Nanaimo and Victoria offering community members an innovative way to access free, life-saving, harm reduction supplies and information about mental health and substance use services, supports and treatment.

The kiosks will electronically dispense discretely packaged harm reduction items including condoms, wound care supplies, naloxone kits, take-home drug testing strips, and syringes and safe disposal containers.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/sTJE50PYlhV

“My landlord just came up and told me I had to move in two weeks. No paperwork. Nothing,” said Nanaimo resident Sharon Kowalchuk.

According to Kowalchuk, the verbal eviction notice from her landlord made it clear, the end-of-life care she needs is too disruptive.”

However, one advocate is helping the couple fight back.

“Obviously that is an illegal eviction, there’s no doubt about it,” said Risebridge Director Alex Martino, a local charity that helps tackle the housing issue in Nanaimo.

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sharon-kowalchuk

Full article here:
https://www.cheknews.ca/dying-nanaimo-woman-evicted-because-i-have-ambulances-coming-1143021/

On international we remember the women and girls killed by drug policy.