Why I help addicts shoot up: Interview with Meera Bai, Christian nurse & harm reduction advocate – Put in simple terms harm reduction is meeting people where they are at. In the homeless service’s space harm reduction also means being sober is not a requirement for services such as housing. My recent visit with Donny in Calgary [bit.ly is a near text book example. Donny was drinking and using on the streets for over 20 years, but when he got into housing and was given some dignity Donny got sober all on his own. But Donny was also lucky. He never really got into very hard drugs, so it was easier for him to get sober. Often this is hard for ‘normal’ people to understand but there is a point where drugs take over a persons life. They lose all reason and self-worth. Their whole existence revolves around getting another fix. Often this path takes a person down an unthinkable path of self-destruction. People end up doing things to survive that are horrible. HIV , Hepatitis C, and drug related deaths become a very serious public safety issue for all of us. One story I heard from a few different people is addicts using puddles of urine to “fix” their heroin. The thought makes me cringe, but I know what drugs did to me when I was heavily addicted. I needed drugs more than I needed air and would do anything to get them. My second city in Canada was Vancouver and I spent a day in Vancouver’s Downtown East side. [bit.ly have always wanted to visit a “wet shelter” (a shelter that provides alcohol) to see for myself. I call myself a ‘liberal redneck’ so although I do lean towards a …

Miracle drug saves lives of heroin users

Filed under: christian drug addiction help

Crimpson Shroyer, who's brother has battled a heroin addiction for five years, talked about the Drug Abuse Warning Network program in Portsmouth that passes out vouchers for Narcan to be used at home. “Every household could have one on hand in case of …
Read more on Marion Star

Tron congregation privileged to be able to worship freely

Filed under: christian drug addiction help

Ever since the days of its inspirational minister in the 1960s, Rev Tom Allan, St George's Tron Church in the heart of Glasgow has had a wonderful record of outreach to the many in need of help and support for a variety of reasons – alcoholism, drugs …
Read more on Herald Scotland

Hickenlooper signs marijuana legalization proclamation for Colorado

Filed under: christian drug addiction help

Both states prohibit public use of the drug, and commercial sales in Colorado and Washington won't be permitted until after regulations are written next year. … Hickenlooper also announced a state task force Monday to help craft the marijuana …
Read more on Craig Daily Press