Fac Dev Lounge

Part 4 of the fifth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a presentation on trauma informed design: reducing the harm associated with experiences of home-based trauma through the built environment. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.      

Part 3 of the fifth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a panel discussion about the impact of substance use and a memoriam for those we have lost in the past year. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Part 2 of the fifth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a presentation from Emily Bodechon of Moms Stop the Harm giving a parent's perspective on harm reduction in youth. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Part 1 of the fifth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a land acknowledgment, some opening remarks, and a presentation from Dr. Sarah Gander on support and advocacy for birthing-people who use substances. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

In this episode, Sarah Gander and Marc Nicholson talk about Interprofessional Education.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Dr. Lisa Sutherland to talk about the experience students go through on Match Day.

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time!

In this episode, Greg and Zach fantasize about having monkey servant pets who would fetch them beer.

You have a limited number of steps listener. Use them wisely.

We sit down and have a special interview with our guests: demons, ghouls, goblins, ghosts, mummies, zombies, werewolves, vampires, unholy spirits, dark entities, specters, poltergeists, witches, warlocks, necromancers, Satan, & the grim reaper.

Today we talk a little bit about God, good morning listeners.

In this episode, Lynette Reid and Sanja Stanojevic talk about teaching students how to treat the exception patients, instead of the average patient.

In this episode, Sarah has a chat with Andrew MacLean about how we can teach our students about advocacy.

In this episode, Sarah Gander and Katharine Smart talk about mental health for both patients and medical practitioners, as well as what it's like being a doctor in a small community.

In this episode, Sarah Gander and Gary Bloch talk about holistic care, activism, and implementing social interventions in primary care.

Unlistenable dogshit at McDonald's

Inflation.

In this episode, we play and review the new Lego Star Wars game and then urge the listener to stop listening to our dogshit podcast and go listen to Hitchhiker by The Sleepy Kicks instead.

I deleted 90% of this episode in a blinding moment of pugnacious terror induced by ketamine and moonshine.

Episode 6 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a reading of the names of everybody who we've lost in the past year as well as a few closing remarks from Julie Dingwell. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 5 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a panel discussion with Tracy Meyer, Jeannette Waegemakers, and Ashley Doiron about the effects of the pandemic on drug users. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 4 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a presentation from Eric Weissman on housing as a form of harm reduction, as well as a short excerpt from his documentary. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 3 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring the story of Nancy Henderson's experience and a presentation on the need for safer supplies for drug users. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 2 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a presentation from Dr. Tommy Brothers on how we can make hospitals safer for drug users. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 1 of the fourth annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a land acknowledgment, a greeting from the honourable Dorothy Shephard, and a panel discussion on the power of partnerships with Debby Warren and Julie Dingwell. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Read the title.

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Marino, our local expert on people getting hurt compilation videos. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah sits down with Mitchell McDonough and Matthew MacLennan to talk about their experiences as students with electives. Episode Guide: 0:04 Introduction 2:24 Challenges and Successes of Elective Students 8:16 First-day elective experience 13:36 First and second year experiences 18:15 Becoming a more well-rounded doctor 20:44 The race for electives 24:21 Student projects 30:32 Third and fourth year experiences 39:12 The world opening back up 42:30 Parting words

I mean are we not?

We mostly just talk about being miserable in this one.

A special long episode of the podcast in which we get very drunk.

If you are listening from Poland, please send us an email at morningswithzed@gmail.com

This is the most censors we've ever had to use in an episode. So many unrepeatable things were uttered.

Pure chaos ensues in what is objectively our worst episode to date. We talk about all kinds of stuff in this one bro.

In this episode, we are joined by Peach Pit expert, Julian Almon. We discuss the new Peach Pit album that came out today. We absolutely DO NOT get sidetracked at any point in the episode and talk about other stuff.

A false Hotel Transylvania 3, synchronous meowing, infinite freezers, unicorn toot absolutism, Dairy Queen slander, Jimmy Fallon's face, none of us are real.

In this episode, we have our very special, very first guest: Jonah. We talk about our disdain for live-action remakes of animated classics, as well as strange encounters in Shim's Convenience...

In this episode, Zach, Greg, and Zed determine the top 4 Adam Sandler movies, the top 1 worst Adam Sandler movie, the top 3 stand-up comedians, the top 2 Breaking Bad episodes, and the intricacies of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

WOW!! The very first episode of Mornings with Zed. People will look back at this moment years from now and say "this is where it all began... this is where the legacy was conceived." We talk about all kinds of stuff in this one. We talk about the programs we're taking in school, we rank maritime universities, and we talk about Zach's band. Bless your ears listener.

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! Rest in peace Sohrab Lutchmedial ❤️ Resources: www.nbcopes.com Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:10 A tragedy within the community 7:42 Giving yourself permission to grieve 13:26 Different grieving styles 20:51 When the grief will get the hardest 23:19 An appreciation of life 30:43 What is NB Copes

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah chats with Dalhousie's academic director of Indigenous health, Brent Young. Resources: Brent Young bio: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/global-health/indigenous-health/fom-supports.html TRC report: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/ Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:37 Brent's new role as academic director of Indigenous health for Dalhousie 6:49 Truth and Reconciliation Day 13:21 Indigenous health in medical education 18:41 Why Indigenous health is so important 20:56 How to make safe space for patients 26:32 What land acknowledgements should be 29:56 Indigenous language 33:28 The need for human and financial resources

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah sits down to have a discussion with the new Dalhousie JDI Chair of Occupational Health, Shane Journeay. Resources: Karasek paper - on job strain (1979): Job Demands, Job Decision Latitude, and Mental Strain: Implications for Job Redesign Author(s): Robert A. Karasek, Jr. Source: Administrative Science Quarterly , Jun., 1979, Vol. 24, No. 2 (Jun., 1979), pp. 285-308 Contribution of work to common long diseases. The Occupational Burden of Nonmalignant Respiratory Diseases. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Volume 199 Number 11 | June 1 2019 https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/DMNB/research/occupationalresearch.html Paper from 2005 highlighting the burden of work on total injuries in USA: Injuries at Work in the US Adult Population: Contributions to the Total Injury Burden - Smith, Gordon S;Wellman, Helen M;Sorock, Gary S;Warner, Margaret;et al - American Journal of Public Health; Jul 2005; 95, 7; ProQues pg. 1213 Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 4:34 What is occupational medicine? 7:37 Promoting occupational recovery 10:17 Stress 17:42 Overflowing the cup 21:11 How the job has changed over the last 30 years 23:33 Preparing for a call shift 27:39 Promoting wellness in the workplace 33:26 What Shane hopes to bring to Dalhousie 36:51 Asking patients what they do for a living 41:45 Avoiding deconditioning 45:55 Parting words

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah sits down with the Dean of Dalhousie to talk about what comes next for the university. Resources: Dr David Anderson bio: https://medicine.dal.ca/dean.html Dalhousie Diversity and Inclusions commitment: https://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect/diversity-strategy.html Dalhousie Land Acknowledgement: https://www.dal.ca/news/2016/10/19/honouring-our-indigenous-people-s-land-and-language.html James R Johnson Chair of Black Studies Dalhousie: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/jrj-chair.html Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:37 The strain that COVID has had on students 3:08 Silver linings from the pandemic 9:28 Knowing when things can and can't be done virtually 12:37 What is the next challenge for Dalhousie? 14:55 Calls to action for Truth and Reconciliation as a university priority 20:53 Conversation around climate change 23:36 Coming to the table with the right questions 26:38 Advice on being a leader 31:38 The Dean's message to faculty

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah talks about wellness with the Assistant Dean of Wellness at Dalhousie University, Angela Cooper. Resources: Angela Cooper - Department of Psychiatry - Dalhousie University - medicine.dal.ca/departments/depar…ngela-cooper.html Faculty Wellness - Continuing Professional Development - Dalhousie University - medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-…lty-wellness.html Executive Leadership and Physician Well-being: Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27871627/ Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29505159/ Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:09 Keeping well during the pandemic 5:19 The importance of informal conversations with patients 8:06 Being vulnerable 12:34 Chronic toxic stress and trauma among doctors 21:22 Why wellness interventions don't work 27:38 Using the mindset of a researcher 33:26 Work life intergration 39:30 Ignoring the naysayers 41:02 The antidote to burnout

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah sits down with Patti Doyle-Bedwell to talk about the generational effects of residential schools, how they relate to healthcare, and what needs to be done now. Resources: Patricia Doyle‑Bedwell - Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development - Dalhousie University - https://www.dal.ca/faculty/open/programareas/univ-access-advising/transition-year-program/faculty-staff/patricia-doyle-bedwell.html Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525 The Caring Society - https://fncaringsociety.com/ Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land - https://native-land.ca/resources/territory-acknowledgement/ child_friendly_calls_to_action_web.pdf - https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/child_friendly_calls_to_action_web.pdf https://www.coursera.org/ (University of Alberta – Indigenous studies) Intergenerational Trauma - https://nbcc.ca/indigenous/did-you-know/intergenerational-trauma SECRET PATH - GORD DOWNIE and JEFF LEMIRE - https://www.secretpath.ca/ Dr. Peter Bryce (1853–1932): whistleblower on residential schools | CMAJ - https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/9/E223 Indigenous people in B.C. 75% more likely to end up in ER, report says | CBC News - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-health-care-racism-report-update-1.5900527 Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:45 Residential schools in Canada 8:31 Residential schools and health 18:16 Why First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples shouldn't be forced to educate the people who take care of them 21:20 Structural racism in the medical system 31:55 The time for action 38:25 What happens when you're unable to be a compliant patient 44:27 The danger in making assumptions about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples 50:18 The work that needs to be done

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah chats with Associate Dean of DMNB, Dr. Jennifer Hall about what the future looks like DMNB students and what things they think could potentially be added to their curriculum. Resources: Dr. Hall’s Bio: https://www.cfp.ca/content/61/12/1101 How to confirm your faculty appointment: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/DMNB/faculty-staff/faculty-development/why-is-a-faculty-appointment-important.html Article re: compassion and competence: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-good-doctor-its-time-to-stop-treating-character-like-an/ Embracing B minus work: Episode #217 The Life Coach School with Brooke Castillo “Why you aren’t taking action” NBMS Wellness: https://www.nbms.nb.ca/nbms-wellness/ Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 1:32 Why The Future Looks Bright 4:08 Graduation Ceremonies During the Pandemic 8:29 Students Unable to Travel 10:25 Extra Skills We Should be Teaching Students 14:55 The Tenacity of Faculty 17:58 Teaching Students to Say No 21:21 Things Dalhousie Offers Its Faculty

Thanks for listening to Fac Dev Lounge! Subscribe to this podcast on SoundCloud, iTunes or YouTube and feel free to send us suggestions for medical education questions you'd like to have answered at dalmedicalpodcast@gmail.com. Don't forget to claim your MOC section 2 credits for this podcast. Join us in the faculty lounge next time! In this episode, Sarah Gander and Hepzibah Muñoz Martínez breakdown everything that you should be keeping in mind heading into the upcoming municipal election. Stay tuned for the provincial and federal editions! Resources: Hepzibah Muñoz Martínez, PhD Associate Professor, Comparative Politics and Political Economy Department of History and Politics Author of Uneven Landscapes of Violence: Law and Accumulation in Mexico (Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 2020) Below is the website with more info related to Dr. Muñoz Martínez’s teaching on urban politics https://www.unb.ca/faculty-staff/directory/arts-sj-historypolitics/munoz-martinez-hepzibah.html Interviewed by CBC on Tactical Urbanism, December 2017 “New Amsterdam” Season 1, Episode 11 “A Seat at the Table”: Bloom (Janet Montgomery) alerts Max when an ER frequent flier comes in for the 100th time. Andy is homeless and really likes New Amsterdam. Over the course of one year, the hospital spent 1.4 million dollars caring for him. *What?!?* Each member of the team has sound reason for the expensive tests they repeatedly perform. Max prescribes the only treatment he needs: a home. https://www.discoversaintjohn.com/event/queen-square-farmers-market Episode Guide: 0:05 Introduction 2:30 Things to think about with the election coming up 7:47 Sustainability in Saint John 13:41 Infrastructure and health 15:12 Waste management 17:06 Active transportation 22:51 Quarantine and housing 27:06 Uneven Landscapes of Violence: Law and Accumulation in Mexico

Episode 6 of the third annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a reflection of the past year and a reading of the names of everybody who we've lost in the past year. In Memoriam: Britt Norm Shawn Ashley Erin Tara Travis Robyn Terry John Stephan Todd Joanne Bobby Alex Toby Liza Christina Vicky Ron Donna Tyler Stephan Colin David Michael Ryan Erin Travis Steven Tara Eli Skylar Mitch Kim Amber Shane Sara-Jane JP Nadine Tonya Jeff Brandon Edward Janet Barry Cassie Ashley Krista Rose Tania Mandy Lee Dusty Lexi Rhondda Ronnie Mitchell Sara Jane Kyle Ronnie Harold Dawn Michael Tcoy Caleb Neil Danny Mathew Julien Steven Craig Tammy Lori Jessie Allain Patrick Norman Kristen Robby Dusty Sharon Michael Martin Chuck Alex Doug Todd Kyle Donna Ricky Eric Stephen Clifford Tyrell Sean Duncan Daryl Randy Tyler Eric Sheila Jeannie Matt Billy Malcolm Mike Mya Stephen Jason Troy Jordan John Mike Daryl Dee-Dee Nevin The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration. CALL TO ACTION: As a community, it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those impacted by problematic substance use. To achieve this, we need to reduce stigma, increase community collaboration, and influence systematic changes. Impact of Drug Use in Canada: The opioid crisis continues to claim the lives of Canadians. 17,602 apparent opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and June 2020. 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred between April and June 2020, representing the highest quarterly count since national surveillance began in 2016. In Canada, more than 12 deaths per day are due to the opioid crisis. New Brunswick is reported to have the second highest prevalence of injection drug use in the country, second only to British Columbia. A large spike in overdose deaths has been observed as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and an increase in deaths among People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) has been felt across the country. This was also noted by the Saint John Police Force in mid-October. The warning was extended to advocacy groups in southern New Brunswick following several months of observation during the pandemic. In general, PWUD have been more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to poor health literacy and stigma and discrimination. In this setting there have been calls for decriminalization and increased access to safe supply. It is time to encourage community capacity building to address these complex issues. The Harm Reduction Symposium will provide a platform to discuss innovative and sustainable approaches. The 3rd annual Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 5 of the third annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a panel discussion about the difficulties of homelessness. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration. CALL TO ACTION: As a community, it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those impacted by problematic substance use. To achieve this, we need to reduce stigma, increase community collaboration, and influence systematic changes. Impact of Drug Use in Canada: The opioid crisis continues to claim the lives of Canadians. 17,602 apparent opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and June 2020. 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred between April and June 2020, representing the highest quarterly count since national surveillance began in 2016. In Canada, more than 12 deaths per day are due to the opioid crisis. New Brunswick is reported to have the second highest prevalence of injection drug use in the country, second only to British Columbia. A large spike in overdose deaths has been observed as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and an increase in deaths among People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) has been felt across the country. This was also noted by the Saint John Police Force in mid-October. The warning was extended to advocacy groups in southern New Brunswick following several months of observation during the pandemic. In general, PWUD have been more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to poor health literacy and stigma and discrimination. In this setting there have been calls for decriminalization and increased access to safe supply. It is time to encourage community capacity building to address these complex issues. The Harm Reduction Symposium will provide a platform to discuss innovative and sustainable approaches. The 3rd annual Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 4 of the third annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a talk (and a poem) from Matt Bonn as well as a panel discussion about lessons learned through the first wave of COVID-19. You Can't Buy Time: Time's up, too many people have died. Time's up, we cannot pretend like we don't know why! Time's up, we need a safe supply! Time's up, without one I know I will die. Time's up, for presenting and talking. It's time, for walking and marching. It's time not to say no. It's time to demand what we need, Or we will refuse to go. Time's up, and we're all too young. We need more time; We don't want our life to be done. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration. CALL TO ACTION: As a community, it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those impacted by problematic substance use. To achieve this, we need to reduce stigma, increase community collaboration, and influence systematic changes. Impact of Drug Use in Canada: The opioid crisis continues to claim the lives of Canadians. 17,602 apparent opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and June 2020. 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred between April and June 2020, representing the highest quarterly count since national surveillance began in 2016. In Canada, more than 12 deaths per day are due to the opioid crisis. New Brunswick is reported to have the second highest prevalence of injection drug use in the country, second only to British Columbia. A large spike in overdose deaths has been observed as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and an increase in deaths among People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) has been felt across the country. This was also noted by the Saint John Police Force in mid-October. The warning was extended to advocacy groups in southern New Brunswick following several months of observation during the pandemic. In general, PWUD have been more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to poor health literacy and stigma and discrimination. In this setting there have been calls for decriminalization and increased access to safe supply. It is time to encourage community capacity building to address these complex issues. The Harm Reduction Symposium will provide a platform to discuss innovative and sustainable approaches. The 3rd annual Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.

Episode 3 of the third annual Harm Reduction Symposium featuring a talk from Michael S. Silverman, MD about endocarditis in people who inject drugs. The Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration. CALL TO ACTION: As a community, it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those impacted by problematic substance use. To achieve this, we need to reduce stigma, increase community collaboration, and influence systematic changes. Impact of Drug Use in Canada: The opioid crisis continues to claim the lives of Canadians. 17,602 apparent opioid-related deaths occurred between January 2016 and June 2020. 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths occurred between April and June 2020, representing the highest quarterly count since national surveillance began in 2016. In Canada, more than 12 deaths per day are due to the opioid crisis. New Brunswick is reported to have the second highest prevalence of injection drug use in the country, second only to British Columbia. A large spike in overdose deaths has been observed as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and an increase in deaths among People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) has been felt across the country. This was also noted by the Saint John Police Force in mid-October. The warning was extended to advocacy groups in southern New Brunswick following several months of observation during the pandemic. In general, PWUD have been more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to poor health literacy and stigma and discrimination. In this setting there have been calls for decriminalization and increased access to safe supply. It is time to encourage community capacity building to address these complex issues. The Harm Reduction Symposium will provide a platform to discuss innovative and sustainable approaches. The 3rd annual Harm Reduction Symposium will bring together many stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and enhance harm reduction collaboration.