Podcasts about say know podcast

On this episode of the podcast we sit down in studio with activist/writer/broadcaster Garth Mullins to discuss the Crackdown podcast. Garth and his team have created the podcast which explores drugs, drug policy, and the drug war. Some mentioned organizations: VANDU - www.vandu.org/ Say Know Podcast - www.sayknow.org/podcast/ Moms Stop the Harm - www.facebook.com/MomsStopTheHarm/ Recommended Reading: Dr. Gabor Mate - In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Johann Hari - Chasing the Scream Music is Kurt Vile - Freeway The Tall Pines - The Key

SHOW NOTES: Jason Mercredi is the Executive Director for AIDS Saskatoon. He has gained extensive knowledge from the front line and an advocate for Harm Reduction. He urges for a safe injection site in Saskatoon, as well as safe smoking supplies. For over a decade, Saskatchewan has had the highest HIV rates; mainly from intravenous drug use. AIDS Saskatoon is an outreach center with support workers. It provides a safe place for people with HIV or Hepatitis C to receive testing and support in a welcoming environment. AIDS Saskatoon has been operating a needle exchange program for 10 years, with over 100,000 clean needles given out a year. Jason truly values the importance of the relationships with his clients and meeting them where they are at. In this episode Jason and Matt speak at length about AIDS Saskatoon and what attitudes and supports they provide. They cover topics around stigma, prevention, HIV rapid testing, the “Wrap it Up” Indigenous condom initiative, and the cost  effectiveness of Harm Reduction. HIGHLIGHTS: -Jason gives details about the HIV centre in Saskatoon, what they provide and their beliefs, such as the importance of building trusting relationships with the clients. He talks about the importance of not giving up on clients if they act out, as well as the benefits of hiring peers. The centre offers a safe, welcoming place without judgment;  clients can come eat, or have a coffee. They can also get info about using drugs safely and can get testing for HIV or Hep C when the client is ready. -AIDS Saskatoon has 350-400 clients that are HIV+ but also clients that have Hepatitis C. HIV rates are 3 x’s the National average in Saskatchewan. Contrary to popular belief, the gay community is the least of the HIV rate. Highest risk is injection use, next is from Heterosexual sex. -Jason speaks about AIDS Saskatoon working towards deregulation of HIV rapid testing, and how it would eliminate barriers. Similar to a diabetic test, a blood sample would reveal the  results in less than a minute. -Jason discusses National HIV testing day, and partnering with Canadian AIDS society, and success of National testing day. -Jason talks about partnering with Saskatoon Sexual Health, developing ‘’Wrap it Up’’, providing 100,000 condoms in Cree, Dené for the  for the Northern Indigenous population. -Jason says that they want to see safe injections sites in Saskatoon, the benefits of safe consumptions sites and access to safe pipes. -Jason and Matt talk about Harm reduction, what works and what doesn't. Forcing people into treatment may seem like the right choice but it is actually counter productive, and may cause more harm. -Jason and Matt talk about the struggles of explaining to the community that financially investing a small amount into harm reduction can have a huge impact, and overall save more money in the long run. -Jason explains why it's cheaper to give a person a Naloxone kit and how it actually saves countless dollars long term. A Naloxone kit costs $40, which is a fairly small price - compared to thousands of dollars spent on ambulance, hospital and funeral costs. -Saskatchewan became the 2nd province to have Universal HIV and Hepatitis C medication coverage. -Jason and Matt discuss having conversations with people who disagree with harm reduction in a way that doesn’t create more conflict. QUOTES: “We need to save lives, because dead people can’t recover.” “One prevention of HIV saves you over a million dollars a year.” “We need to be able to provide an environment that’s welcoming, that’s relationship based, and where people can use in safe way so that we can engage them in care if they want to be.” “If your goal is to get a behavioral change out of somebody, you’re coming into that relationship with an agenda. That’s not an authentic relationship.” “We’re not gonna quit on them (the clients), just because they’re having a bad day.’’ “You started talking to them about the dollars that its costing to keep things the way they (currently) are, then you realize their conversation isn't about dollars - it's about morals. They're just masquerading it with dollars” “If you're a true harm reductionist; why aren’t you meeting that person where they’re at?” LINKS: AIDS Saskatoon Website: www.aidssaskatoon.ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidsaskatoon Twitter: https://twitter.com/aidssaskatoon Official Say Know homepage: http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website: https://crismprairies.ca/SayKnow.org Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworgSayKnow.org Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle: http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Leslie MacBain - Turning the Titanic Around SHOW NOTES: On January 4th, 2014 Leslie McBain lost her son, Jordan, to an overdose; a lethal combination of prescription drugs. As a teenager he had done the typical partying but by age 19 he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine. He attended treatment but relapsed shortly after. He managed to curb his addiction but later a doctor prescribed him Oxycontin for a back injury. Sadly, the beginning of the end. When he told his Dr he was addicted and needed help; he was simply cut off his prescription, and left to find it elsewhere. Leslie is a co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) - an organization of moms who have lost their children to the disease of addiction. They have banded together for strength; to advocate for compassionate policy changes in the face of an epidemic that continues to take away lives.They strive to decriminalize the possession of drugs and want the federal government to create a safe, regulated supply of opioids in order to save thousands of preventable deaths. HIGHLIGHTS: The cancelled patent for Oxycontin opened up the black market to replace the drug with knockoffs, and that is why we are seeing all the deaths today. Leslie identifies three major themes within the overdose communities - people were using substances alone, kids only experimenting (not actively addicted) got the poisoned drugs, and that the parents had tried everything they could to save their child. Leslie and Matt talk about the difficulties in journey to recovery such as: trying to find a good treatment facility, finding a good doctor who is educated in the disease of addiction and can prescribe the correct medications. Leslie shares great insight about what is needed to change to help people with addiction. Having detox, support,medically assisted treatment after detox, ongoing counselling and support services. Leslie and Matt talk about the importance of talking with the youth today about drugs - to be real and not give false info or scare tactics. Things like saying “Don’t do this” has the opposite effect. Leslie discusses B.C Centre of Substance Use (BCCSU) Initiative that focus’ on: Family Engagement, Peer Support Groups and a Recovery Pod (led by Marshall Smith). She talks about “The Gone too Soon” and “The Coping Kit” Handbooks available through BCCSU. “Stronger Together” a grant funded initiative for community support meetings in BC Leslie shares advice for parents struggling with a child in Addiction. She explains that amidst tough challenges of behavior, and approach of “tough love” or “rock bottoms” don’t work, in fact it’s counter productive. Leslie describes goals and visions that MSTH is taking on: Grief Support, Sibling Support, and online Private Support groups. They are advocating for the decriminalization of people who possess drugs as well as asking the federal government to create a safe regulated supply of opioids. QUOTES: “If we had a safe, regulated supply of opioids for people who are addicted; then the black market would largely disappear. People wouldn’t be dying like they are now.” “Support groups and sharing stories is one of the most powerful healing tools there is.” “Family is anyone who loves you, cares for you and supports you.” “There is nothing else in the history of this country that has killed so many people - that has not been attended to properly.” “How many people have to die before the government will do the right thing?” “The government isn’t willing to fund proper treatment services.” “Organizations need to come together and it’s like slowly turning the Titanic around. People are dying; falling off the ship all the time.” LINKS: Mom Stop the Harm Website www.momstoptheharm.com Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MomsStopTheHarm/ British Columbia Centre on Substance Use http://www.bccsu.ca/ “Gone Too Soon” Handbook: http://www.bccsu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Grief_Handbook.pdf Official Say Know homepage: http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website: https://crismprairies.ca/SayKnow.org Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworgSayKnow.org Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle: http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

SHOW NOTES: Darcey Loitz is passionate about helping other people struggling with addiction and is actively seeking to be a mental health and addictions worker. He shares with us his lived experience and insight on the underlying causes of addiction. He believes that addiction is rooted in childhood trauma and self medication of emotional pain. By the age of 11 he was consuming alcohol and using LSD  by Grade 6. He shares about being sexually abused by a man when he was 15 years old, and found the courage to share this only a year ago. In this episode Darcey discusses a wide variety of topics. He talks of childhood traumas and how he began to self medicate at a very young age. He discusses the significant role of his mother in his life. He speaks of his love for her, despite her suicide attempts, her struggle with alcoholism and an ongoing stressful cancer diagnosis. He talks of loss, fear and isolation, and the importance of reaching out. He discusses how important it was for him being a father and the loss of identity when his kids grew up and moved out. He also talks about his relationships with women, and the subject of rejection and being alone. His addiction slowly spiralled to eventually injecting Crystal Meth. A discovery at work ultimately leads him to getting help for his addiction and Darcey is now clean. HIGHLIGHTS: He grew up moving frequently, both of his parents struggled with alcoholism. He struggled to have stability or have friends because of moving all the time. He felt abandoned by his mom who was not home much when he was a kid. He shares his youngest traumatic memory; having almost died at age 3 due to a bunk bed accident In Grade 5 his mother had attempted suicide by shooting herself in the chest. She survived but it had traumatic lasting effects on him. Darcey began consuming alcohol and LSD at a very young age. Darcey talks about being sexually abused by a man when he was 15. Darcey recalls how important being a Dad was. His kids were his life and how difficult it was when they were all grown and moved out (Empty Nest Syndrome) and loss of identity. The straw that broke the camel's back...When His girlfriend walked out after he had already lost everything, his mom had passed away, his kids were grown and moved out, and then his girlfriend left him, and was he felt utterly alone. He talks about Depression and PTSD. He was suicidal and felt he had nothing left to live for. He knew he needed help but feared that he would lose his job and everything that he had worked all his life for like his house, etc.   Darcey discusses how losing his keys at work, essentially ended up saving his life and he was able to get the help he needed. How supportive his workplace was in helping him with attending treatment at the Northern Addictions Centre in Alberta. QUOTES: " We feel so alone in our addiction, even though we’re not; we feel alone in a room full of people..it's a strange feeling.” “I wanna take the things that helped me and pass that on to others, and let them know that they’re not alone.” “I felt like I had nothing to live for.” “He gave me my first shot,  and then I understood how people become addicted to Meth. I never felt anything like that in my life.” “You lose yourself - You don’t see the wake of destruction with that drug.” “Nobody at work knew that I was an intravenous user.” “I spent $80,000 in one year on Meth.” “I was trying to kill myself and just wanted to have fun doing it.” “He looked at who I Could be; instead of what I was doing.” “We are people first; and addicts second.” LINKS: The Mask You Live In - Documentary Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworgSayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrgMusic provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com POEMS WRITTEN BY DARCEY LOITZ: My Truths Living in fear Acting strong  Out of control Seeming in balance Feeling alone  Surrounded by people Wanting to hide  Standing out front Needing to cry Smiling broad Longing for love Feigning  independence Addiction...   It has me lying to myself and everyone around me A Choice Emotions swirling in a dust devil a plastic bag in an abandoned parking lot on a cold autumn day Blown high beyond reach one moment down in the gutter the next Seemingly on a whim Days or weeks go by the question persists When will it stop? Start remembering  only that which the poison  seemed to cure Forgotten the destruction, pain and suffering  which accompanies that instant cure all I must remember the reality It is not a cure  but a poison  that masks my problems  and creates new ones  in my time of weakness the only thing it cures  is a fleeting moment of displeasure which will return with vengeance Life is not easy Giving up is Choose life Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

This bonus episode is released one week after cannabis legalization in Canada. Matt sat down with self proclaimed cannabis connoisseur, James. They touched on several cannabis topics from medicinal access, whether or not the illicit market will remain and how cannabis was used to assist James with his opiate dependence. Matt also gave a brief overview of some of the new laws. Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Retired Chief of the Saskatoon Police Service, Clive Weighill, sat down to chat with Matt. Clive has been involved in the justice system for over 40 years, and was the President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police for 11 years of those years. He is currently the Chief Coroner in Saskatchewan and genuinely cares for people he serves. He has devoted his life to public service and has knowledge, insight and wisdom that makes him a great leader. He has worked hard to make positive changes to the relationship between police and the community. In this episode, Clive discussed his understanding on a number of topics; from meth and crime, to cannabis legalization and roadside checks, to building trust with Police and communities. He has empathy and wisdom and is one of Canada's most respected leaders. HIGHLIGHTS: Relationship between methamphetamine and crime There are many ways to interpret crime stats and police services are revolutionizing the way crimes are reported (Ex: Graffiti) More funding is required for social infrastructure Cannabis legalization and roadside checks The Importance of building trust between Police and communities. QUOTES: “ When I grew up I hated the Police. There was no way that I thought I was ever gonna be a Police Officer.” “ People that are addicted to alcohol – putting them in a jail cell; is not the way to deal with someone who has an addiction.” “ We need more money spent on social infrastructure.” “ Police are more aware nowadays that people are are products of their environments.” “ We can’t arrest our way out of these situations. If we don’t have supports in place for people who go to jail, when they get out they're gonna go right back to the same things. “ “You have to have trust in the community to be successful as a police service. To get trust you have to work with the community.” “We need people that can feel comfortable talking to the police, listening to what we have to say,understanding our role in the community, which is only one role in the justice system. Trust is really the big factor here. “ LINKS: www.sayknow.org Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Matt Kaminsky is a former fentanyl and oxycontin user. Despite having had a loving childhood, he was nevertheless drawn toward drug usage to self-medicate his personal issues and was shocked to see how his lifestyle and support system suddenly suddenly and drastically changed. Since getting clean, Matt has learned the benefits of having friends who say “no” to him and now ponders how the world could be different if access to recreational drugs was legal and more safely regulated. In this episode, Matt discusses how drug addiction affects one’s daily routine and needs, the economic effect of the drug trade on housing, and the difference between healthy and toxic support systems. HIGHLIGHTS: -Matt relates his supportive childhood and how he gradually and insidiously slipped into drug usage and addiction during high school. -How he never realized that he was using fentanyl until it was too late. -Noticing how the effects and routine of drug use changed as Matt become more addicted. -Describing fentanyl’s high-impact effects and why its high is alluring to chase. -What is “dope sick” and how did it feel for Matt to go through it? -How Matt has used methadone to taper off his drug use. -What steps did Matt take to end his using lifestyle and get clean? And exploring why the recovery process can be the most vulnerable stage. -What a day in Matt’s life during his fentanyl addiction was like, including being dope-sick at this grandfather’s funeral. -How addiction can breed an unhealthy support system among friends. -The way addiction can impair a user’s belief that they can make important choices. -The difficulty Matt faced in trying to leave the drug trade, including a scary experience with two strangers coming to collect. -Matt delves into the personal difficulties that may have led him to self-medicate with drugs. -Exploring how the drug trade has significantly impacted real estate prices throughout the province. -Looking at how societal dynamics might change in a world where drugs are legalized and safely regulated. QUOTES: “Nobody feels like they’re going to be addicted to anything.” “You would do one pill and almost feel normal again.” “You almost wanna scratch yourself out of your own skin.” “Either you’re gonna start living your life or you might as well die, really, cuz you’re just wasting it.” “All it takes is a mistake to become addicted to something. There aren’t people that go out there and maliciously do drugs and stay addicted and want to be addicted.” “Sometimes that support system’s also gotta remember that they got to struggle through it too.” “Share your knowledge, because if we all share our own knowledge, our own stories about [addiction], then we’ll find better ways to combat it.” LINKS: Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website. Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Tina Thebeau works with Matt at Say Know as a blogger (you can hear her in our introductory episode, 00). A recovered long-term cocaine user and survivor of an abusive upbringing, she has found strength within herself to heal others and urges users to find newer, healthier ways of coping with past trauma. In this episode, Tina discusses living with the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), growing up in multiple abusive and unhealthy foster homes, and stepping back from the edge just as she was about to fall over. HIGHLIGHTS: -Tina describes her early life experiences with FAS, being adopted by a dysfunctional family, and finding a healthy foster home. -How a decision by Social Services prevented Tina from growing up with her loving foster family. -Dealing with violent and vengeful thoughts at a young age. -Tracking the development of Tina’s drug usage and addiction and discussing how drug abstinence programs have an unintended opposite effect. -“Using dreams” and the ever-present fear of relapse while clean. -How a mentor pulled through for Tina at the most pivotal point in her addiction. -Finding continuing strength and motivation through faith and spirituality. QUOTES: “Slowly, slowly, they gained my trust, and I fell madly in love with these people and I wanted to be with these people forever and ever and ever.” “I remember making a choice and a promise to myself that I was never, ever, ever gonna be like her. That I didn’t want to be that hateful and that crue and that bitter.” “You wanna know what’s wrong? Everything is so good, and usually when shit is so good, some shit hits the fan.” “I didn’t want to give up. I just needed someone to believe in me.” “I didn’t go through everything I went through to be a drug addict and die in a gutter. That wasn’t what my life was for.” “If we could see ourselves the way other people saw us, I think we would be blown away.” LINKS: Tina’s author page at Say Know - https://www.sayknow.org/blog/?author=57d70b0f414fb55c4f3be3e7 Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

SHOW NOTES: Christina Hrudka is the vice-chair of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), which advocates for and represents the profession of pharmacy throughout Canada. A pharmacy owner herself, Christina is deeply concerned by the opioid crisis and the role pharmacists may have to play in finding a solution to this epidemic. In this episode, Christina discusses how she feels pharmacists’ responsibilities should change, the potential benefits of legalized drug distribution, and the difficulty of breaking the cycle of addiction. HIGHLIGHTS: -Christina outlines the CPhA’s structure, responsibilities, and current involvement in the opioid crisis. -Theorizing why the opioid crisis became epidemic in the last several years. -The CPhA’s push for “prescriptive authority” and why Christina believes pharmacists should be able to adjust dosage. -Exploring the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP), Saskatchewan’s unique drug prescription database. -Why the opioid crisis and its victims were overlooked for so long in Canada. -The argument for providing addicts with medical-grade heroin and how medical marijuana may play a helpful role. -Discussing Suboxone and other methods of breaking the addictive cycle. -Addressing the current issues with medical marijuana distribution and plans for marijuana research through dispensation. -The dilemma of wanting to treat a patient’s pain while not risking setting them down the path to addiction. -How the CPhA and other organizations are tackling the methamphetamine epidemic as well. QUOTES: “Most of our issues have come from overprescribing for a long time.” “We really, truly did not realize, as a healthcare profession, how addictive these products really were.” “We are the last stop of that prescription before it goes out.” “At the end of the day, there’s no reason we need to prescribe the quantities that we were.” “These people need help. We need to treat them like real people.” “Unless people’s core reason for being there and needing those drugs is addressed, the cycle will continue.” “The current addict is a real person, and we can’t ignore them because they’re affecting everybody’s lives. It’s all of our problem.” LINKS: Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) website - https://www.pharmacists.ca Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) website - https://www.ehealthsask.ca/services/pip Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Darlene Chalmers and Colleen Dell work with therapy dogs through St. John's Ambulance and manage the therapy animal program Pawsitive Support based out of Drumheller, Alberta. On the side, they also use their animals to assist recovering military veterans. Through Pawsitive support, Darlene and Colleen work with convicted criminals and aim to encourage kinder and more empathetic behaviour in their clients by forging animal connections. In this episode, Darlene and Colleen discuss establishing constructive relationships between clients and their animals, how interacting with these animals can affect criminal behaviour for the better, what dogs can offer that humans can't, and the role they may play in curbing addictive habits. HIGHLIGHTS: -Darlene and Colleen explain how their programs tailored to each animal and client. -How the atmosphere immediately changes when a therapy dog is introduced to an inmate. -The ideal two-way relationship between a client and their animal. -Using dogs to establish safe and healthy physical contact with clients who have deep-seated issues with being touched. -The tricky process of ending the relationship between a dog and their client without hurting the latter. -A few examples of the endearing relationships that can form between inmates and their dogs. -How therapy dogs can engender empathy in even the most hardened inmates. -Breaking down the timeline of a standard therapy period. -The importance of a dog's non-judgmental nature in the therapeutic process. -How Colleen and Darlene believe therapy animal programs may affect recidivism rates in the future. -Distinguishing between therapy and service dogs. -Looking toward the future of Pawsitive Support with regards to opioid treatment. QUOTES: "When you look at the dogs in these situations, they are about as happy as happy can be." "We open the heart just a little bit and now the service provider can do what they need to do because that space has been created." "There's a lot of learning about dog behaviour and dog psychology and I think that forces them to think outside themselves." "What are you needing now that's gonna help you get where you want to be?" "How can we recognize animals as part of our human well-being?" LINKS: Colleen Dell’s website - http://www.colleendell.ca/ Anna Belle the Dog’s Adventures - https://www.facebook.com/AnnaBelleSubiesAdventures/ Audeamus homepage - http://www.audeamus.ca/ Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

Dr. Darryl Gebien is an expert on the opioid crisis currently affecting Canadians, having himself been a fentanyl addict. As an emergency room doctor in Ontario, Gebien was prescribed opioids as painkillers and ultimately came to rely on them in order to self-medicate his psychological issues. After serving a two-year prison sentence for writing prescriptions for himself, Dr. Gebien now advocates for drug users, asking for greater empathy and compassion from government, law enforcement, and the public. In this episode, Dr. Gebien discusses how his addiction developed, the most dangerous methods of fentanyl ingestion, and why building a community may be the most important step on the road to addiction recovery. HIGHLIGHTS: -Dr. Gebien describes the course of his fentanyl addiction and how everything spiraled out. -The psychological issues that led Dr. Gebien to self-medicate. -Exploring the different means addicts use to ingest fentanyl and the risks each method carries. -How fentanyl powder complicates and obscures dosage, increasing the risk of overdose. -The most surprising supporters of standardized fentanyl dosage distribution: high-level drug dealers. -Dr. Gebien lays out his proposed solution to the opioid crisis. -Recognizing that successful addiction treatment requires patients to overhaul their lifestyle. -The limits of “safe injection site” as a program and as a term. -Explaining “after-care” and the importance of building a community among recovering addicts. -How shame and stigma only hampers the recovery of former addicts and can trigger relapses. -Matt and Dr. Gebien take stock of how public and law enforcement perspectives toward addiction are already starting to change. QUOTES: “Being arrested saved my life.” “That rapid onset, it might sound enjoyable to some people but not the down part, not the crashing off of it.” “Nobody knows what concentration it is. How strong is this stuff? That’s the issue: there’s no standardization there.” “An experienced heroin user generally knows how to play it very careful, but even they are overdosing and dying these days.” “It’s just Russian roulette in that situation and some people are losing the game of roulette and they’re dying.” “The real way to treat addiction is a changing lifestyle.” “It takes time to undo the behaviours associated with substance abuse.” “Getting people together who are not afraid, talking about my problems, sharing my feelings and being with connected with others is a huge part of recovery.” “It destroys their lives! Not to mention their dental hygiene.” “This is not a moral failing. It is a form of mental illness.” “The first tenet of caring for others is to not judge them.” LINKS: Dr. Gebien’s Twitter feed - @DGebien, https://twitter.com/dgebien Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com Find out more on the Say Know Podcast website.

On this special bonus episode of the Say Know Podcast, Matt spoke with Jason Warick, a CBC investigative journalist and former reporter for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Jason explores the similarities between investigative reporting and police work, the recent Humboldt Broncos tragedy, and how journalists maintain their mental health in the face of death and heartbreak. They also delve into importance of anonymous sources in both journalism and criminal justice and how to approach each case responsibly and ethically. Lastly, Jason explains why he's hopeful for both the futures of drug policy and journalism. HIGHLIGHTS: -The emotional effect of reporting on tragic news and a reporter's responsibility to share painful yet important stories with the world. -Weighing complete empathy vs. complete disconnect when dealing with a sad story and finding the ideal balance. -Considering every side even in the most tragic of stories and doing right by treating all facets critically. -How do you cover all perspectives in a story fairly when everyone involved isn't equally available? -What responsibilities do both journalists and police have to their confidential informants? -The lengths Jason went to in order to preserve the anonymity and safety of his informant during a trial. -The essential role of anonymity in maintaining constructive relationships between people and their institutions. -Walking the fine line of establishing trust with your sources while avoiding developing too personal a relationship with them. -The shifting attitudes toward drug policing and crime Jason has noticed over the course of his career. -Hope on the horizon: the growing trend toward analytic journalism that truly explores the larger issues that affect society. -Jason's final pointers on writing humane, constructive and informative journalism and living healthy while you do so. QUOTES: "It's not only the facts of what might happened in that incident... but it's also to tell the world what Humboldt is like and what these people are like." "If you have no emotion, that's gonna show. There's gonna be no emotion in your stories either." "It's a real struggle and I find myself veering to one extreme or the other and then having to mentally bring myself back." "Our job is not only to convey the emotion but convey the truth of things, right? So if it's untrue, then you're doing a disservice to the public." "That relationship of confidentiality between a source and a journalist or a police officer... is fundamental to our democracy and fundamental to justice in this country." "The meaningful change is gonna happen when everyone—social workers, police officers, journalists, everybody—really starts to look at the big picture." "Sometimes you have to write about horrible things that happen to good people, and to me, part of the way I get around that or deal with that is to find something redeeming." "Not everything in life is horrible just like that thing you've been talking about for eight hours." LINKS: "Saving Crystal Napope," article by Jason - http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saving-crystal-napope CBC story on Jason protecting sources - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/starphoenix-reporter-jason-warick-placed-in-custody-for-refusing-to-hand-over-notebooks-1.2984844 Jason's StarPhoenix stories - http://thestarphoenix.com/author/jason-warick-saskatoon-starphoenix Jason's Twitter feed - @WarickCBC Official Say Know homepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com

The Say Know Podcast discusses all things drug-related, including policy, crime and research. We sit down with professionals and people who have lived experiences to discuss how we can make things just a little bit better. The Canadian Research Initiative of Substances Misuse (CRISM) has supplied funding to allow this podcast to happen, and this show is part of the CRISM Prairies Network. In this introductory episode, Matt and Tina lay out their mission statement for the Say Know podcast. HIGHLIGHTS: -Matt describes how Say Know got started and Tina briefly relates how she became involved. -Dealing with the cards you've been dealt and recognizing that you can make choices. -Matt's background in law enforcement tackling the drug trade and why he reconsidered his role. QUOTES: "We need to start changing the way we look at people who are addicted, because those people... are hurting, and they're people who need help." "We're about spreading knowledge and research so people can make healthy and informed decisions." LINKS: Official Say Know hopepage - http://www.sayknow.org/ Canadian Research Initiative of Substance Misuse (CRISM) Prairies website - https://crismprairies.ca/ SayKnow.org Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sayknoworg SayKnow.org Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/SayKnowOrg Music provided by Redbull DJ Champ, Charly Hustle - http://www.charlyhustlemusic.com