A new harm reduction resource called “with open arms” is now available for Indigenous youth across B.C. to download.
The First Nations Health Authority, the creators of the resource, said the toolkit focuses on harm reduction for teens, and includes advice for communal healing and providing tips on conversing with peers who use substances.
The organization has an office in Fort St John to serve the local Indigenous population, which according to the 2021 census, includes 1,500 Indigenous children.
The culturally sensitive toolkit consists of videos and educational links to ensure our youth make informed decisions about drug use.
Fort St John saw 227 overdose and drug poison calls to paramedics last year, according to B.C. Emergency Health Services, and the organization hopes this toolkit will provide Indigenous teens with the wisdom to create safer communities through harm reduction.
“The toxic drug public health emergency affects us all, and we must continue to expand our harm reduction efforts,” said Dr. Nel Wieman, the organization’s chief medical officer.
Wieman said the organization wants to encourage young Indigenous people to speak openly about healing themselves, and their communities, from the damages of substance use.
The organization followed the “all paths lead to wellness” approach, where they acknowledge the various influences which may lead someone to the path of substance use and encourage youths to sympathize with people who took that path.
