From “Patients” to People: Accounts of Accessing Health Care from People Who Use Drugs

About this event:

In the midst of Ontario’s toxic drug crisis and Premier Doug Ford's plan to gut and prohibit harm reduction programming, health professionals have to bear the brunt of a decision, which seems to be prioritizing ideology over the need for critical, evidence-based health-care services. This dichotomy has a lasting effect on people’s engagement with the health-care system.

Join RNAO’s Mental Health & Substance Use Program, as we speak with people who use drugs (PWUD), about their experiences accessing health care. By attending this webinar participants will be able to:

• hear the experiences of accessing health care from PWUD,
• understand how positive and negative experiences with health-care providers impact a PWUD’s engagement in care,
• practice compassionate and effective communication techniques to support PWUD and apply principles to engage meaningfully to support PWUD when accessing health care.

Presenters and credentials:

Steve Andrews, Harm Reduction Worker, Person with Lived Experience

Maddy Gold, Lived Experience Advisor, Harm Reduction Knowledge Specialist, Advocate for all Marginalized Communities, NSS-CoP member, Life Improvement Skills Educator

Katie Upham, Harm Reduction Consultant, Board Member, Moms Stop the Harm, Person with Lived Experience

Moderator:

Patrick Corvyn, RN, Social Justice and Harm Reduction Activist