Episode 43: Kids on the Block Part 2 - Jade

[Cover image: A blue, red, yellow, white and black painting of an animal screaming is in the centre of the frame. Over top, the word “Crackdown” is written in white block letters, with the same word behind it, creating a shadow effect. On either side of the painting are blocks of yellow, filling out the rest of the rectangular frame. (Original painting by Jade. Cover design by Alex de Boer)]

Rightwing politicians and media pundits want us to fear safe supply and harm reduction. They say these interventions are putting children and families in danger, when we know the opposite is true.

But there is one thing these conservatives are right about: Canadian kids have never been less safe. Not because of harm reduction, but because toxic illicit drugs might fuck up their lives. Or, because toxic illicit drugs might fuck up their parents’ lives.

On episode 43, we tell the story of Jade — a 21 year old harm reduction worker from Saskatchewan whose parents use drugs.

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The beginning of this episode pays tribute to a friend of the show named Rainbow. Rainbow died in January of 2024. If you want to hear Rainbow’s story, please listen to Episode 28: After the Flood. Rest in power, Rainbow.

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A note about the title of this series: “Kids on the Block” is a phrase drug users on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside yell when a family with children walks by. It’s a warning to other drug users to be mindful of their language and to put their gear away.

Transcript

A complete transcript of this episode will be uploaded here when ready.

Calls to Action

A Vancouver-based Youth Advisory Council made up of 10 young people who use drugs has published the following calls to action for Canadian policy makers: 

(1) We want accurate information about the risks and benefits of different drugs and how to practice different kinds of harm reduction in our schools and communities. 

(2) Those providing harm reduction to YPWUD should always collaborate closely with them to determine what (if anything) regarding their drug use and harm reduction practices can be shared. 

(3) Ideally, youth-oriented safer consumption sites should have a non-clinical, relaxed feel to them, and include a welcoming drop-in space alongside private spaces for safer consumption. They should be staffed by a mix of peers and providers with experience providing non-judgemental care, support, and camaraderie to YPWUD. 

(4) Youth-oriented safer consumption, drug-checking, shelter, and housing programs and spaces should have dedicated programming and hours for young women, gender diverse and queer youth, and BIPOC youth. Mobile outreach vans and safer consumption rooms are critical to making harm reduction and other forms of support more accessible to YPWUD in the context of the street involvement, and in particular those who are not residing in city centres. 

(5) We demand an end to compulsory or involuntary abstinence-based treatment programs. We want to be listened to regarding what drugs do for us, socially, physically, mentally, and emotionally, in our daily lives. Youth-dedicated drop-in centers and service hubs should center relationship- and trust-building and harm reduction. 

(6) YPWUD who are in government care (i.e. living in foster care and group homes and independent living arrangements) must be able to access harm reduction services without fear of discipline and repercussions. 

(7) We demand that YPWUD be at the table in a meaningful way (and not just as token participants in the process) as plans for decriminalization and safe supply are rolled out in British Columbia and elsewhere. 

(8) Harm reduction organizing and programming must be informed by an intersectional lens. It is critical to recognize and respond to how the risks and harms experienced by YPWUD are shaped by intersections of class, race, gender, sexuality, and ability. It is also important to recognize the intersections between drug user activism, anti-poverty activism, housing activism, and sexual health activism. 

(9) The goal is to grow a diverse and strong collective of YPWUD locally, nationally, and internationally. 

For more details on these calls to action, see: Canêdo et al. (2022). Harm reduction calls to action from young people who use drugs on the streets of Vancouver and Lisbon. Harm Reduction Journal 19:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00607-7

Works Cited

Allen, Bonnie. “Drug overdoses, COVID-19 drive Sask. life expectancy to lowest level in 22 years.” CBC Saskatchewan, September 12, 2023. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/drug-overdoses-covid-19-drive-sask-life-expectancy-to-lowest-level-in-22-years-1.6959685#:~:text=Saskatchewan%27s%20life%20expectancy%20declined%20in,under%20the%20age%20of%2050. 

BC Coroners Service. “YOUTH UNREGULATED DRUG TOXICITY DEATHS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2022.” 

BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. “Escalated drug-poisoning response actions.” January, 2024. https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/escalated-drug-poisoning-response-actions-1.

Canêdo et al. (2022). Harm reduction calls to action from young people who use drugs on the streets of Vancouver and Lisbon. Harm Reduction Journal 19:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00607-7.

Dove, Nathaniel. “Saskatchewan sees another record year for overdose deaths in 2021.” Global News, January 11, 2022. 

Kessler, Ryan, Kelly Skjerven. “2021 another grim year for drug overdoses in Saskatchewan.” Global News, December 21, 2021. https://globalnews.ca/news/8474764/drug-overdoses-crisis-saskatchewan-2021/. 

Kim, H., Wildeman, C., Jonson-Reid, M., & Drake, B. (2017). Lifetime prevalence of investigating child maltreatment among US children. American journal of public health, 107(2), 274-280.

Lang, Brady. “Sask. sets another record for overdose deaths in 2022.” CTV News, January 6, 2023. https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-sets-another-record-for-overdose-deaths-in-2022-1.6221178. 

Mantyka, Wayne. “'There is no safe use': Sask. government defends decision to restrict harm reduction measures.” CTV News Regina, February 5, 2024. https://regina.ctvnews.ca/there-is-no-safe-use-sask-government-defends-decision-to-restrict-harm-reduction-measures-1.6755650. 

Public Health Agency of Canada. “Apparent Opioid and Stimulant Toxicity Deaths: Surveillance of Opioid and  Stimulant-Related Harms in Canada.” December 2023 (p. 58). https://health-infobase.canada.ca/src/doc/SRHD/Update_Deaths_2023-12.pdf. 

Quon, Alexander. “2023 the 2nd deadliest year for drug overdoses in Regina: police.” CBC Saskatchewan, January 23, 2024. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-2023-drug-overdoses-1.7092186#:~:text=According%20to%20data%20released%20by,the%20118%20recorded%20in%202022. 

Ranger, Corey (@CoreyRanger). “Access to prescribed #SafeSupply in BC has dropped significantly since March 2023.” X, August 29, 2023. https://twitter.com/CoreyRanger/status/1696663051783520368. 

Roberts, Dorothy E. "Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families - And How Abolition Can Build a Safer World." New York : Basic Books, 2022.

Ross, Jenell. “One in Ten Black Children in America Are Separated From Their Parents by the Child-Welfare System. A New Book Argues That’s No Accident.” Time Magazine, April 20, 2022. https://time.com/6168354/child-welfare-system-dorothy-roberts/. 

Salloum, Alec. “Sask. ends provision of drug pipes, instructions for safe drug use to harm reduction organizations.” Saskatoon StarPheonix, January 18, 2024. https://thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatchewan/sask-ends-provision-of-drug-pipes-instructions-for-safe-drug-use-to-harm-reduction-organizations/wcm/126ec8f8-1f4c-4884-ab2a-47f379e81ad0. 

Saskatchewan Coroner Service. “Confirmed and Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths 2016-2023.” January, 2024. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/api/v1/products/90505/formats/107395/download. 

Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit. “Evidence-Informed Responses to Evolving Opioid-Related Harms in the Province of Saskatchewan.” October 2021. https://spheru.ca/publications/files/opioidoverdose-crisis.pdf. 

Tank, Phil. “Drug policy change comes as Sask. overdose deaths spike.” Saskatoon StarPheonix, January 23, 2024. https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/phil-tank-pipe-policy-comes-as-sask-eclipsing-overdose-death-mark. 

Williams, Ethan. “CBC SK News: 2023 2nd deadliest year for drug overdoses in Regina, and Coroner's inquest continues.” CBC Saskatchewan, January 23, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=a-07xbZ1YV8.

Wyton, Moira. “'A lot of people are going to get hurt': Nurses union, doctors call on Sask. to reverse harm reduction changes.” CBC News, January 24, 2024. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/nurses-doctors-harm-reduction-1.7093283. 

Credits

Crackdown is produced on the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh Nations.

Our editorial board is: Samona Marsh, Shelda Kastor, Jeff Louden, Dean Wilson, Laura Shaver, Reija Jean and Elli Taylor. Rest in peace, Dave Murray, Greg Fresz and Chereece Keewatin.

This episode was conceptualized, written, and produced by Sam Fenn, Alex de Boer, Lisa Hale, Jade, Danya Fast, Rebecca Saah and Garth Mullins. 

Thanks to Candice Lipski and Robbie Priest for their production assistance.

Thanks to Jade for recording radio diaries for this episode.

Score by James Ash and Sam Fenn, with contributions from Michael Bowd.

Today’s episode was supported in part by funds from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Vancouver Foundation, and Michael Smith Health Research BC.

If you like what we do, support us at patreon.com/crackdownpod.