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First, last night’s opening ceremonies was fantastic. In particular the opening land acknowledgement was a perfect way to get us started.
Watch this video from @Talkingdrugs to see for yourself (my phone was dead at the time 😩)
Watch this video from @Talkingdrugs to see for yourself (my phone was dead at the time 😩)
https://twitter.com/talkingdrugs/status/1647489156912934913
The opening ceremonies was very inspirational, especially the awards ceremonies.
People like Gabby Bruning, Diane Lloyd, and Andriy Yarovoi are beacons of hope.
People like Gabby Bruning, Diane Lloyd, and Andriy Yarovoi are beacons of hope.
https://twitter.com/hrinews/status/1647516174379536386
Another highlight was the speech from @HelenClarkNZ. Truly exceptional speaker highlighting the devastation caused by punitive international drug policy. I am officially a fan of Helen now.
https://twitter.com/fionahpatten/status/1647498848003297280
But I promise whoever reads this 🧵 not to sugar coat the whole experience.
There was also some really questionable language from at least one elected official.
There was also some really questionable language from at least one elected official.
Giving an opening speech at a #HarmReduction conference and using terms like “problematic drug use”, and “opioid crisis” was some misinformed shit.
The NSW Labor MP needs to do some more homework.
@ShayRD 👇
The NSW Labor MP needs to do some more homework.
@ShayRD 👇
https://twitter.com/shayrd/status/1647494521872355328
But enough of that, for now. The exhibition hall was a treat too. These fantastic humans from @HRV_Aust, @aivl and @ssdp_australia are providing #HarmReduction services and clearly put the most effort into their booth design. 💜
https://twitter.com/hrv_aust/status/1647416323075612672
That about does it for last night’s recap. My phone is fully charged and the conference picks up again in 20 minutes. Stay tuned for more hot takes and typos. 
Excited to see his happy 🇨🇦 crew from @SubstanceUVic and @OutreachSolid.
Also I found Brooke from @CDCofBC!
Also I found Brooke from @CDCofBC!
Today’s opening plenary is “Challenging Systems of Oppression” by Kirsten Han, Gina Jackson, and Kassandra Frederique.
Kirsten from @TJC_DC begins by sharing letters from people sentenced to death for drug charges in Singapore. She does so to “hold on to our shared humanity”.
Kirsten from @TJC_DC begins by sharing letters from people sentenced to death for drug charges in Singapore. She does so to “hold on to our shared humanity”.
This was such a powerful start to the day. “Fuck the death penalty, end oppression” Kirsten (@kixes) concludes.
https://twitter.com/erge17/status/1647744268637995010
Next, Gina Jackson from Return to the Heart Foundation speaks about the impacts of racist law and policy.
“We often hear people say Indigenous People are vulnerable populations. We’re not vulnerable, we’re being targeted. We’re still being targeted.”
“We often hear people say Indigenous People are vulnerable populations. We’re not vulnerable, we’re being targeted. We’re still being targeted.”
https://twitter.com/hrinews/status/1647747178809671680
Next @Kassandra_Fred from @DrugPolicyOrg closes out this powerful plenary.
“People who use drugs have been navigating broken health systems across the world. The system as it is, is inadequate”
“PWUD have told us for decades that the health care system is not neutral”
“People who use drugs have been navigating broken health systems across the world. The system as it is, is inadequate”
“PWUD have told us for decades that the health care system is not neutral”
https://twitter.com/HRInews/status/1625857964631523330
Holy shit Kassandra is brilliant. Absolutely incredibly speech on decriminalizing communities and building a tradition of justice for all.
https://twitter.com/hrinews/status/1647754795590225921
.@gideonlasco has arrived + speaks to the harms of punitive drug laws in the Philippines beyond the death penalty.
“There is a prison in the Philippines where 20% of the population dies, usually from infectious disease. This makes a prison sentence effectively a death sentence.”
“There is a prison in the Philippines where 20% of the population dies, usually from infectious disease. This makes a prison sentence effectively a death sentence.”
https://twitter.com/hrinews/status/1647759039454130176
Live tweeting is haaaard
Up next, “Reclaiming Health: Indigenous Approaches to #HarmReduction”
Pete Dawson and Naomi Barry shares about the Bunjilwarra Aboriginal youth healing service and the importance of culture as healing.
bunjilwarra.org.au
Pete Dawson and Naomi Barry shares about the Bunjilwarra Aboriginal youth healing service and the importance of culture as healing.
bunjilwarra.org.au
Nilawan Pitakpanawong is now talking about the importance of mobile methadone therapy for ethnic groups in Thailand.
Highlighting the challenges faced by rural and remote communities to access care.
Highlighting the challenges faced by rural and remote communities to access care.
Jackson Herald and @EricaSchoen2 are now talking about the 24 Hour Mobile Integrated Advocacy in Remote Indigenous Territories.
Important discussion about reducing/eliminating barriers to healthcare.
“We know when people want support, it’s not in 3 months time. It’s right now”
Important discussion about reducing/eliminating barriers to healthcare.
“We know when people want support, it’s not in 3 months time. It’s right now”
Side bar: @EricaSchoen2 was my preceptor when I was just a baby nurse in @StreetworksAB so it’s just amazing to see her today and learn about the important work she’s doing.
“The way our current health system is set up, we specialize in pushing people away”
“The myth of noncompliance is just another barrier”
@EricaSchoen2
“The myth of noncompliance is just another barrier”
@EricaSchoen2
And we’re back. Up next:
“It’s toxic! Lessons on Safer Supply from Canada”
@GillianKolla, Mohammad Karamouzian, Katharine Rudzinski, and @ScottElliottDPC are here to talk about outcomes of safer supply programming in so-called Canada.
@ShayRD is chairing!
“It’s toxic! Lessons on Safer Supply from Canada”
@GillianKolla, Mohammad Karamouzian, Katharine Rudzinski, and @ScottElliottDPC are here to talk about outcomes of safer supply programming in so-called Canada.
@ShayRD is chairing!
.@GillianKolla is talking about our #SafeSupply program (@SaferVic):
“The patch is fantastic, I find that I don’t need to use as much illicit fentanyl, because of the patch and the options here.”
“The patch is fantastic, I find that I don’t need to use as much illicit fentanyl, because of the patch and the options here.”
.@ScottElliottDPC is talking about the @drpetercentre_ and the benefits of their #iOAT program.
And look! @HRNA_AIIRM board member Bryce Koch is featured on their slide. Bryce is the real deal and lead prescriber there.
And look! @HRNA_AIIRM board member Bryce Koch is featured on their slide. Bryce is the real deal and lead prescriber there.
And the last session for me today (cause I’m exhausted) is “Moving Beyond Criminalization” from Alex Kral, Teddy Wandera, Mary Catherine Alvarez Del Rosario and my bud @nicolemluongo.
Nicole is one presenting on Decriminalization Done Right from @CANdrugpolicy.
Nicole is one presenting on Decriminalization Done Right from @CANdrugpolicy.
Nicole very eloquently speaks about what decriminalization done right means in so-called Canada and what it does not mean.
She highlights the ongoing demonization of drug sellers and the inherent harms therein.
She highlights the ongoing demonization of drug sellers and the inherent harms therein.
Teddy Wandera just spoke on “Unity for Purpose: a case for decriminalization of harm reduction in Kenya.
His group, @OnCaucus challenged a bill criminalizing distribution of needle/syringe through use of media and eventually was successful in changing the bill to ⬇️ harm.
His group, @OnCaucus challenged a bill criminalizing distribution of needle/syringe through use of media and eventually was successful in changing the bill to ⬇️ harm.
Mary Catherine Alvarez Del Rosario is now speaking about “linking communities with the justice system to advance humane drug policy in the Philippines”
👏 She spoke so passionately about the uphill battle facing her country in ending punitive drug policy. 👏
👏 She spoke so passionately about the uphill battle facing her country in ending punitive drug policy. 👏
And that’s it for day 2. What a whirlwind. Time for this me to find some food and prep for my own presentation tomorrow. Stay tuned for another unnecessarily long 🧵 tomorrow.
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