with guest Nicole Mucci of Union Gospel Mission, Vancouver, BC.
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, another health emergency raged on in the background across Canada: the opioid crisis. In British Columbia alone, thousands have lost their lives since the crisis was declared in 2016. In this episode, Nicole Mucci of Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver, BC shares about the stigma around addiction, how the overdose crisis is affecting community members, and how poverty and addiction don’t have to be the end of the road.
Content warning: This episode features an important and valuable conversation on the opioid crisis. Please be aware that potentially triggering topics like death, overdose, and trauma are discussed. If you or someone you love is living with addiction, please visit https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/ (heretohelp.bc.ca)
Recommended Resources & Readings:
https://www.amazon.ca/Realm-Hungry-Ghosts-Encounters-Addiction/dp/155643880X (In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts) by Dr. Gabor Mate 
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-portraits-of-loss-one-hundred-lives-felled-by-an-overdose-crisis/ (Portraits of Loss: One hundred lives, felled by an overdose crisis) - Globe & Mail article highlighting the devastating losses felt in 2020 due to the Opioid Epidemic. 
https://www.ugm.ca/media-centre/ (Union Gospel Mission’s blog)
https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/134340071/1471356267 (Vancouver Public Library) - resources for overdose awareness
Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.