Northern Healthy Connections Society
33 Pleasant St. B2N 3R5 Truro, NS, Canada

Magical things can happen when someone is met where they’re at! When I am met where I am at it give me the chance to feel comfortable and safe, which then allow...s me to move forward. My goal in this work is to authentically meet people where they are at, through being compassionate & treating others with dignity and respect Shout out to @celestialheartbreak for this dope art work! Check her page out for more! #harmreduction #harmreductionsaveslives #harmreductionislove #harmreductionworks #harmreductiontips #compassion #compassionsaveslives #dignity #respect #pwud #pwudmatter #substanceuse #substanceusedisorder #addiction #addictionawareness #meetpeoplewheretheyareat #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #supportdontpunish #breakthestigma #endthestigma #endstigma #endoverdose #overdoseawareness #recovery #addictionrecovery #recoveryawareness #eknpud #peoplewhousedrugs

The Lotus Centre welcomes you to The Creative Arts Challenge! This is an ongoing online program designed for you to do at your own leisure and from the comfort ...of your own space. Our hope is to provide a creative outlet for individuals during these times of isolation and until we can get back to our programming in person. Each week on Mondays, we will post a new creative prompt/ mantra or theme for you to think about aimed to inspire you to make/ do something creative. You can work in any medium you choose. (Painting, drawing, creative writing, collage etc.) Our first creative prompt will be posted on Monday January 25th. You are encouraged to do as many of these as you would like and do not have to follow any timeline or schedule. There are no "due dates"! However we do encourage you (If you are comfortable) to send in an image and description of what you come up create for us to share in a photo album here in the group! This group is open to everyone... please feel free to share. JOIN NOW by following this link and click " JOIN GROUP" https://www.facebook.com/groups/458854691807063 For more information check out our website in the Programs - Workshops and Classes tab or by visiting:

https://www.cbc.ca//sa/2020-fatal-drug-overdoses-1.5869927

https://www.cbc.ca//health-alert-dangerous-drugs-northern-

https://www.cbc.ca//homeless-urban-crisis-shelters-1.58822

Here are the AMAZING SUNAR members from Fredericton: Steve Colwell, Daniel Price, Frances Breau, Jonathon Savoie, Gill Hastings (and O’Ryan ) Many thanks to our partner Maddi Yerxa from AIDS NB/SIDA N-B for the stellar videography and editing. We are so grateful for this amazing team

https://filtermag.org/fentanyl-oat-pandemic/

Addiction is not a choice anybody makes. It’s a response to emotional pain. - Dr Gabor Mate Do we need to rethink addiction?

https://www.cbc.ca//nova-scotia/homeless-cbrm-concerns-cov

https://www.vogue.com//2020-drug-decriminalization-what-it

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-vancouver-propos/

https://www.cbc.ca//overdose-deaths-bc-august-2020-1.57352

https://filtermag.org/zurich-switzerland-harm-reduction/

Our final stop of the week has been to visit our friends and partners in Truro through Northern Healthy Connections Society #northernhealthyconnections . Streng...th in numbers to end Overdose, end stigma and save lives Here’s to thrilling new harm reduction projects to shed light on substance use #harmreductionsaveslives #harmreduction #substanceuse #addiction #community #truro #novascotia #maritimes #atlanticcanada #atlantic #canada #endoverdose #endstigma See more

We had the privilege and pleasure of meeting with a few of the members of the Halifax Substance User Network - SUN today as well as participating in great discussions with the SUNAR - Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region . Thank you so much for including us in this opportunity. We look forward to seeing the big things you will all be doing for Substance users across the Atlantic Region.

Dylan Samson (pronouns: He/Him/His) is the new Support & Programs Coordinator at the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. Dylan is a graduate of Dalhousie University...'s School of Social Work, and is in the process of working through his social work candidacy with the NSCSW. He also has a double-major in Psychology and French. In addition to his work experience with community services and group homes, he has experience volunteering with a variety of queer organizations and events. He is a self-professed Massive Nerd and his hobbies include listening to podcasts, running, photography, and water polo. See more

Mitch Hill (pronouns: They/Them) is the newest Health & Wellness Educator (PT) at the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. Mitch is fulfilling their role virtually f...rom Cape Breton. They have worked for many 2SLGBTQ+ organizations over the years, mostly in education, programming, or outreach with Youth under 25. Mitch is currently a Community Educator with The Youth Project. They have also sat on the boards of local pride groups, and a few Non-Profits. They enjoy volunteering their time to other grassroots organizing for other causes, and getting involved in political efforts. They have a Bachelor of Business Administration (Conc. HR) from Cape Breton University. In their spare time you'll likely find them gaming, binge watching YouTube videos, or still out their playing Pokemon GO. Mitch is a Slytherin, their favorite colors are millennial pink and dark green, and is enthusiastic about getting tattoos. See more

If you were on methadone during this Pandemic take the time and fill this out :) https://t.co/bnNEM3PqHI?amp=1

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day/2020

https://www.cbc.ca//new-br/farm-addiction-rehab-1.5724668

Have you heard about our Fresh Start Program? We provide a basket of household items for women moving into a new home to get them started on the right foot. Per...iods of transition are especially stressful, so not having to worry about some basic necessities can be helpful. We also include a few gift cards so that women have the ability to go buy what they need. If you are interested in donating to our Fresh Start Program, please call 902-893-4844 or email [email protected] This is one of two baskets donated by Debert County Nursing Home

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is more important than ever to check on our friends, family and community members during these unprecedented times. It's ok to feel overwhelmed, sad and even scared. Please reach out if you need to talk.

If you have someone in your family with an addiction and you need some support from people and families with similar experiences. Know you are not alone. Addiction touches so many and everyone needs support.

We at NHCS are trained to distribute Naloxone kits with a very short training session. We can train individuals as well as groups and organizations. If you're interested in understanding overdoses, harm reduction and Naloxone please reach out!

When will people see that the Overdose crisis is real!! It's also not just in BC. It is in our community and we are loosing people who could have been saved.

This is amazing!!!!

Another life lost too soon. Please do not use alone. Carry naloxone and call 911. We have free kits to distribute if you ir a friend are in need. https://tatamagouchelight.com/colchester-county-man-dies-a/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-trudeau-says-foc/

https://filtermag.org/fentanyl-education-ems/

https://www.cbc.ca//nova-scotia-living-wage-ccpans-halifax

https://www.cbc.ca//justin-trudeau-decriminalization-1.570

https://www.cbc.ca//bc-overdose-crisis-cmaj-study-august-2

https://www.cbc.ca//thunder-bay/overdose-pandemic-1.5708164

Stigma creates more barriers for vulnerable people. Shaming or judging someone does not help the situation. Let’s all try to be more compassionate. #EndStigma #HarmReduction #ensemble

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Let’s end the stigma around overdose and addiction and spread the message that drug-related death is preventable #IOAD2020 #ENDOVERDOSE #OVERDOSEAWARE

Today is August 31st, International Overdose Awareness Day. Today is a day to remember those we've lost through overdose fatalities, it is a day of remembrance... and reflection. It is also a day of protest, advocacy and raising our voices so that systems can change and policy implemented to end the overdose crisis. Overdose fatalities are preventable! Today is also a day to share our lived experience with substance use and overdose awareness. Back in May, we at Halifax SUN (substance user network) wanted to work on a project to stay connected, inspired and safe during the pandemic. We also wanted to raise awareness and share stories not often heard from within our community. We wanted to share stories of people actively using substances, former substance users, family members, community members, health practitioners and academic partners. We wanted to shed light on how substance use and overdose affects us all in very many ways. We are beyond grateful and honoured to have had so many folks from our community come forward and share their truth, their vulnerability and their hope for change. A MASSIVE thank you to Mateo, Holly, Julien Julien Carette, @Debbie Debbie Marshall , Rick, Diane Diane Bailey, John John L Arenburg, Lois, Tommy Brothers, Greg Greg Caines, Lydia Lydia Cameron, Jewlz Jewlz Renée, Cathy Catherine Shanks, Scott, Ryan for sharing your light and love. This final product would not have been possible without Steph Young and Asterix Media. We are forever grateful. Thank YOU out there supporting this initiative and supporting our community. Together we can change systems and END OVERDOSE

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. NHCS would like to share Susan's Story with you. Susan was part of our ROSEHIP project as well as a frequent volunteer here at NHCS. Susan passed away on March 29th 2020 a couple weeks after the ROSEHIP project had ended. Susan was a shining light that brightened up any room she would enter. She had a passion for helping others and was very supportive of the community and Harm Reduction. Susan is missed dearly by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.

We want to thank Truro Farmers Market Cooperative for the opportunity to inform our community about International Overdose Awareness Day. We had a great turnout, facilitated Naloxone training, and had great conversations with community members about their experiences and thoughts. #nsharmreduction #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay #EndOverdose #naloxonesaveslives

Covid KILLED the drug supply and it's bad. At the testing site (808 hastings street) nearly all cocaine is now cut with Levamisole which is hog dewormer which i...s toxic and causes nasty infections. This is the least of our problems. Our Naloxone isn't working, the drugs are now being mixed with Benzos which causes depressed respiratory. Naloxone only reacts to opiods, and we are injecting 3-5 rounds with no response. Your dealer isn't Pablo Escobar, the boarders are closed, this isn't just a street issue. This is a supply and demand issue during a pandemic. Please get your drugs tested, please be trained in giving oxygen, chest compression, and narcan. I can supply everyone with a kit. (Also available at most drug stores) But fentanyl is just one of your many problems with the drugs right now, methylamine, Benzos, etc. Everything is being cut. Please pass along and stay safe. See more

https://getyourdrugstested.com/