Real-Life Needs of Folks on the Drug War Front Line
The Drug War was declared as an official government policy of many nations around the world in the 1980s. This has led to increased criminalization, surveillance and discrimination of individual drug users as well as those who are directly adjacent to drug use. Communities of colour and impoverished communities have seen entire generational cohorts lost to violence and incarceration.
Understanding the Drug War from a harm reduction perspective allows us to see that this war is a war on people who use drugs. Drug War policies do not take drugs out of our society, they just complicate access in a way that puts the most marginalized drug users in harm’s way. Securing and maintaining basic human needs like shelter, food security, and pain management are full-time pursuits of those most deeply affected.
As the fentanyl crisis has led to more and more deaths of drug users, heavy grief is also very alive for the survivors. Providing access to community spaces for learning and healing may be beneficial to peers, but might not be a priority for folks who are concerned with pressing questions like,
Programming like Street College needs to be able to intersectionally address multiple needs of the folks it is designed to serve. A nutritious meal being served, a cash honorarium provided, or harm reduction supplies are all “bonus features” that may be addressing the primary needs of potential participants. It is imperative that transportation supports, nutritional supports, advocacy in navigating social safety net structures and other “basic” needs of peers are included in the development and delivery of an effective and relevant program.
In the BC Interior, many small towns have very limited support structures. If someone has social complications with others in their community, accessing supports can feel impossible. If someone worries about running into a dealer they owe money to, a former abusive partner, someone from their family of origin, their employers, employees or clients this may mean that accessing a fixed site harm reduction service, food security service, medical services or housing supports becomes impossible. Find ways to work with potential program participants to develop opportunities to participate that feel safe and accessible to them. This could include considerations in venue discretion, participant registration or intake procedures, running multiple offerings, and/or supporting participants in ‘safe access plan’ development. If participants are supported in accessing the Street College program, when other supports may not be accessible, Street College facilitators may serve as a bridge. This can look like food bank supplies on hand during sessions, harm reduction supplies available on-site, nurses, support workers or services like STI testing coming to where sessions happen.
See also MEETING FOLKS WHERE THEY ARE AT for more.
The Drug War was declared as an official government policy of many nations around the world in the 1980s. This has led to increased criminalization, surveillance and discrimination of individual drug users as well as those who are directly adjacent to drug use. Communities of colour and impoverished communities have seen entire generational cohorts lost to violence and incarceration.
Understanding the Drug War from a harm reduction perspective allows us to see that this war is a war on people who use drugs. Drug War policies do not take drugs out of our society, they just complicate access in a way that puts the most marginalized drug users in harm’s way. Securing and maintaining basic human needs like shelter, food security, and pain management are full-time pursuits of those most deeply affected.
As the fentanyl crisis has led to more and more deaths of drug users, heavy grief is also very alive for the survivors. Providing access to community spaces for learning and healing may be beneficial to peers, but might not be a priority for folks who are concerned with pressing questions like,
- “Will my temporary housing arrangement hold out through the week? If/when it shifts where will I sleep? Are my belongings safe?”
- “My dealer is insisting that I repay before check day, what can I do to get that money to clear up these debts?”
- “My doctor has told me that I will not get better unless I eat a balanced diet, but the food at the free lunch places leaves me feeling ill. I know about ‘how’ to eat well, but can’t figure out ‘how’ I could ever afford the things I need.”
- “The conditions of my parole say that I cannot be near any of the people I was charged with. All of my former associates are on Methadone at the same pharmacy as me. How am I supposed to get my script without running into them?”
Programming like Street College needs to be able to intersectionally address multiple needs of the folks it is designed to serve. A nutritious meal being served, a cash honorarium provided, or harm reduction supplies are all “bonus features” that may be addressing the primary needs of potential participants. It is imperative that transportation supports, nutritional supports, advocacy in navigating social safety net structures and other “basic” needs of peers are included in the development and delivery of an effective and relevant program.
In the BC Interior, many small towns have very limited support structures. If someone has social complications with others in their community, accessing supports can feel impossible. If someone worries about running into a dealer they owe money to, a former abusive partner, someone from their family of origin, their employers, employees or clients this may mean that accessing a fixed site harm reduction service, food security service, medical services or housing supports becomes impossible. Find ways to work with potential program participants to develop opportunities to participate that feel safe and accessible to them. This could include considerations in venue discretion, participant registration or intake procedures, running multiple offerings, and/or supporting participants in ‘safe access plan’ development. If participants are supported in accessing the Street College program, when other supports may not be accessible, Street College facilitators may serve as a bridge. This can look like food bank supplies on hand during sessions, harm reduction supplies available on-site, nurses, support workers or services like STI testing coming to where sessions happen.
See also MEETING FOLKS WHERE THEY ARE AT for more.