The ongoing impacts of colonization continue to affect the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples, as is evident in the disproportionate rates of toxic drug poisonings and deaths experienced by Indigenous people compared to non-Indigenous people. Acknowledging and reducing the harms of colonialism, while emphasizing and building upon the strengths and ongoing resistance of Indigenous peoples, is key to addressing the harms related to substance use. In this episode of the Addiction Practice Pod, award-winning journalist David P. Ball speaks with the Medical Officer of Mental Health and Wellness at First Nations Health Authority, Dr. Nolan Hop Wo, on how colonialism and substance use are related. We also hear from Lacey Jones, Program Director of QomQem Coastal Connections, on strengths-based approaches to reducing the harms associated with colonialism.
Ball, D. (Host). (2024, Jan 25). Culture-centered Indigenous harm reduction: mitigating the impacts of colonialism (S4, No. 1) [Audio podcast episode]. In Addiction practice pod. BC Centre on Substance Use. https://bcechoonsubstanceuse.ca/podcast/indigenous-harm-reduction-as-reducing-the-harms-of-colonialism/.