Eyes Wide Open – WOMEN in RECOVERY

Canada now leads the world in per capita consumption of opioids, but is that the gold medal Canadians are seeking? The spike in opioid prescriptions has led to accidental overdoses becoming a leading cause of unintentional death, a concurrent rise in addiction, a risk factor for crime and victimization and a significant socio-economic burden. Our opioid crisis is now more than 10 years old and may get worse before it gets better.

An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.

The analgesic effects of opioids are due to decreased perception of pain, decreased reaction to pain as well as increased pain tolerance. The side effects of opioids include sedation, respiratory depression, and constipation. Opioids can cause cough suppression, which can be both an indication for opioid administration or an unintended side effect. Physical dependence can develop with ongoing administration of opioids, leading to a withdrawal syndrome with abrupt discontinuation. Opioids can produce a feeling of euphoria, and this effect, coupled with physical dependence, can lead to recreational use of opioids by many individuals.

Although the term ”opiate” is often used as a synonym for ”opioid”, the term is more properly limited to the natural alkaloids found in the resin of the opium poppy and, more loosely, the semi-synthetic opioids derived from them.

Eyes Wide Open brings together top physicians and other experts from Canada, USA and the U.K. to point the way forward in addressing the dangerous downside to Canada’s appetite for opioids. We know enough to know better…now what?

Join your neighbours across Canada for 12 eye-opening webinars on the major issues. Suitable for those in primary care, public health, mental health, health promotion, policy and planning, social services, addictions, research, government, the private sector, community and more…there is truly something for everyone.

A Primer to Understanding Opioid Issues in Canada and the USA.

This introductory webinar will provide a brief overview of the major issues, questions and remedies for preventing and reducing opioid-related harm in Canada. Examining our country’s collective response to the issue can provide important lessons as we move forward on the critical issues that many preeminent organizations in the U.S.A. call “a deadly epidemic.”

It’s a view also shared by NY opioid treatment programs and many other groups that work hard to counter the impact of opioid abuse in the United States.

Michael Parkinson spends most of his work day doing drugs- prescriptions, alcohol and illicit substances- sometimes all three. In collaboration with community and Council, Michael is responsible for a variety of endeavours, including the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy and a substantial body of work related to accidental overdoses.

The Crime Prevention Council is a national model for crime prevention through social development with a mandate to prevent and reduce crime, fear of crime and victimization. Access recent research via the WRCPC website.

Eyes Wide Open recalls the experiences of people affected by an accidental opioid overdose and the emergency medicine naloxone. Based on true stories from 2 Canadian cities, this short documentary offers a window into the moment between life and death—and highlights the need for expanding overdose prevention.

Canada has the highest per-capita opioid consumption in the world. Naloxone, an emergency medication that reverses an opioid overdose, is not widely distributed. The mother of a young man who died from an overdose suggests that bias, discrimination and demeaning attitudes toward persons with addictions may be a reason.

Joe adds, “We are the first responders, before ambulance, before the police, before anybody. We can save each other”.

This beautiful short film offers a window into the moment between life and death – and the need for overdose prevention. This film would not have been made possible without the dedication of Betty-Lou and Joe to talk about an issue that affects many Canadians, but few are able to talk about publicly.

“We are the first responders, before ambulance, before the police, before anybody. We can save each other” – Juice

Eyes Wide Open recalls the experiences of people affected by an accidental opioid overdose and the emergency medicine naloxone. Based on true stories from 2 Canadian cities, this short documentary offers a window into the moment between life and death—and highlights the need for expanding overdose prevention.

See also related webinars at www.preventingcrime.ca/eyeswideopen

Produced by Memory Tree in collaboration with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council Eyes Wide Open touches on an area of crime prevention through social development that affects communities across the world: the connection between problematic substance use, victimization and crime and the broader issue of working with people who are all too often the living at the margins.

The Council’s history of addressing drug-related issues is rooted in that connection, informed by evidence, the wisdom of community and the stories of those with lived experiences.

Related Links:

www.preventingcrime.ca/eyeswideopen
www.preventingoverdose.ca
www.overdoseprevention.ca
http://towardtheheart.com/naloxone/

Christiane Sadeler is the Executive Director of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council and has been actively involved in crime prevention through social development and municipal engagement since the inception of the Council in 1995.

Born and raised in Germany, Christiane lived for many years in England and New Zealand and immigrated to Canada in 1989 where she completed her education in community psychology. She has worked predominately in services that have a strong focus on planning, implementing and evaluating prevention approaches and tend to challenge the status quo.

Her experiences span working with persons with mental health challenges, teen parents, victims of violence and abuse, young offenders, sex offenders and other individuals and groups who tend to live at the margins of communities, as well as formal service providers, police services and politicians of all orders of government.

Christiane teaches part-time at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Master of Social Work Program as a Community Interventions instructor.

She is also co-chairs the National Municipal Network for Crime Prevention and has participated in and presented at crime prevention events and workshops across Canada and abroad. Christiane lives in Waterloo Region with her family andLabrador Retriever Molly. Whenever possible she likes to escape the confines of boardrooms and committee meetings to head north to enjoy a camping, hiking and canoeing.

Waterloo, Ontario CANADA N2J 4V3
Telephone: 519-883-2304

Submitted by: Tiffany Bond – WOMAN of ACTION™

RELATED: WOMAN of ACTION™ – Ginger Katz @ The Courage to Speak Foundation