WEEK THREE – GET EDUCATED – ADDICTION, DRUGS, ABUSE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING

UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION

Dr. Michael Krausz’s (UBC, St Paul's Hospital) The Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Services Survey of 500 chronically homeless people in 3 BC communities found a ‘higher-than-expected level of childhood trauma with 80% of participants suffering significant trauma, abuse, violence, or emotional neglect as children. Most of the study participants have experienced more than one type of maltreatment, experiences that have devastating lasting impact, including moderate to high risk of suicide. Many also suffered severe mental health challenges such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, and fetal alcohol syndrome.’ 1

Defining Addiction Dr. Paul Earley, an Addiction Medicine physician, defines addiction this way: “Addiction is a primary, progressive, biochemical, psychosocial, genetically transmitted disease of relapse [hallmarks of denial, loss of control, manageability; the only disease that tells you, you don't have it].”2

What Addiction is Not  A behavioural issue [“Just change your behaviour!”]  An ethical issue  A choice  A lack of will power  A problem only “bad” people have  Not a symptom of another psychiatric illness [it is a disease of its own; addiction has a life of its own]

Two Types of Addiction 1. Substance addiction  Alcohol, drug, smoking, prescription drugs, caffeine, food/over eating.

2. Non-substance addiction  Anger, pornography, sexual addictions, gambling, self-preservation, fear, worry, control, money, success, entertainment

1 Connor, M. (2016). The Shift. USA: CreateSpace. (p. 158-159) 2 Earley, P. (2014). Keynote address at Conquering Addictions Together: Addiction: A disease of man. Tabott Recovery Campus, Atlanta, GA.

COMMON STREET DRUGS

CANNABINOIDS:

Marijuana - Blunt, dope, ganja, grass, herb, joint, bud, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, green, trees, smoke, sinsemilla, skunk, weed Taken: Smoked, swallowed

Hashish- Boom, gangster, hash. Taken: Smoked, swallowed

Acute Effects - Euphoria; relaxation; slowed reaction time; distorted sensory perception; impaired balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; impaired learning, memory; anxiety; panic attacks; psychosis

OPIODS:

Heroin Diacetylmorphine- smack, horse, brown sugar, dope, H, junk, skag, skunk, white horse, China white; cheese (with OTC cold medicine and antihistamine) Taken: Injected, smoked, snorted

Opium Laudanum, paregoric: big O, black stuff, block, gum, hop Taken: Swallowed, smoked

Acute Effects - Euphoria; drowsiness; impaired coordination; dizziness; confusion; nausea; sedation; feeling of heaviness in the body; slowed or arrested breathing

STIMULANTS:

Cocaine: blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot Taken: snorted, smoked, injected

Amphetamine Biphetamine, Dexedrine: bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers Taken: swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected

Methamphetamine Desoxyn: meth, ice, crank, chalk, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, speed Taken: swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected

Acute Effects - Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration; increased energy, mental alertness; tremors; reduced appetite; irritability; anxiety; panic; paranoia; violent behavior; psychosis

CLUB DRUGS:

MDMA (methylene-dioxy-methamph-etamine): Ecstasy, Adam, clarity, Eve, lover's speed, peace, uppers Taken: swallowed, snorted, injected

Acute Effects for MDMA - Mild hallucinogenic effects; increased tactile sensitivity; empathic feelings; lowered inhibition; anxiety; chills; sweating; teeth clenching; muscle cramping

Flunitrazepam Rohypnol: forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, roach, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies Taken: swallowed, snorted

Acute Effects for Flunitrazepam - Sedation; muscle relaxation; confusion; memory loss; dizziness; impaired coordination

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate): G, Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy, soap, scoop, goop, liquid X Taken: swallowed

Acute Effects for GHB - Drowsiness; nausea; headache; disorientation; loss of coordination; memory loss

DISSASOCIATIVE DRUGS

Ketamine Ketalar SV: cat Valium, K, Special K, vitamin K Taken: injected, snorted, smoked

Acute Effects for ketamine - Analgesia; impaired memory; delirium; respiratory depression and arrest; death

PCP and analogs, Phencyclidine: angel dust, boat, hog, love boat, peace pill Taken: swallowed, smoked, injected

Acute Effects for PCP and analogs - Analgesia; psychosis; aggression; violence; slurred speech; loss of coordination; hallucinations

Salvia divinorum: Salvia, Shepherdess's Herb, Maria Pastora, magic mint, Sally-D. Taken: chewed, swallowed, smoked

Dextrometh-orphan (DXM) Found in some cough and cold medications: Robotripping, Robo, Triple C Taken: Swallowed

Acute effects for DXM - Euphoria; slurred speech; confusion; dizziness; distorted visual perceptions

Acute Effects of dissociative drugs - Feelings of being separate from one’s body and environment; impaired motor function

HALLUCINOGENS

LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide): acid, blotter, cubes, microdot yellow sunshine, blue heaven Taken: swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues

Acute effects - Increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; loss of appetite; sweating; sleeplessness; numbness, dizziness, weakness, tremors; impulsive behavior; rapid shifts in emotion

Mescaline: Buttons, cactus, mesc, peyote Taken: swallowed, smoked

Acute effects of Mescaline - Increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; loss of appetite; sweating; sleeplessness; numbness, dizziness, weakness, tremors; impulsive behavior; rapid shifts in emotion

Psilocybin: Magic mushrooms, purple passion, shrooms, little smoke Taken: swallowed

Acute effects Psilocybin - Nervousness; paranoia; panic

Acute Effects of Hallucinogens - Altered states of perception and feeling; hallucinations; nausea

Overdose Symptoms and Signs of Use3  Clammy Hands  Trouble Walking  Trouble Talking  Nausea  Dizziness  Drowsiness  Loss of Balance  Difficulty Breathing  Turning Blue  Light Headedness  Fainting

3 Suman H. (July 5, 2016). How to Talk to Your Teens about Drugs. BC Trauma Care, Workshop.  Seizures  Slow heartbeat

Things to Know  Be cautious around buying drug from a “new” dealer  Is the drug cheaper than usual?  Start with small doses and increase if necessary  Take the drugs in social settings (not alone)  Know the symptoms of the drugs you are taking. If something peculiar is happening, get to the hospital.  Know what areas Fentanyl and W-18 is being sold in and be aware of the shape, look and print of laces drugs.  Know the common overdose symptoms

Beginning Signs of Use  Secrecy  No room access and very quick to take away belongings from sight, such as a backpack  High smell or use of perfume or deodorant  Increased access to money (new materials and items)  Consistently asking for money  Pills, cough syrups are disappearing from cabinets, fridge

Overdose Deaths4

British Columbia Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths For additional information see “‘It Feels Like Murder’: The Devastating Impact of Fentanyl in BC” by Nick Eagland, The Vancouver Sun, May 31, 2016

4 Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/opioid-overdose-deaths-emergency-1.3580212 http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/it-feels-like-murder-the-devastating-impact- of-fentanyl-in-b-c

A War on Traumatized People

Individuals addicted to one chemical or behaviour are likely to have multiple addictions. According to the authors of “The Genesis Process: A Relapse Prevention Workbook for Addictive/Compulsive Behaviors,”

A disease model of addiction revolves around the limbic system which controls the survival responses: when it feels threatened, it automatically and subconsciously creates a warning signal [flight, fight, or freeze], creating a drive or craving for whatever it associates from the past with survival. Anything that reduces stress and increases a sense of safety raises neurochemicals in the limbic system thereby linking it to survival. The limbic system creates cravings to repeat the behaviour and when reinforced over time, the experiential memory associates these strongly focused cravings with survival, acting independently from the conscious mind. When these strongly focused cravings are linked to self-destructive behaviours rather than survival behaviours, there is indication of a diseased brain. These survival-linked behaviours can become so strong that they are very difficult and almost impossible to control, creating an addiction.5

The following is an excerpt from The Shift. Read a conversation between Ian, one of our street friends and Mac, as Ian defines homelessness.

Ian paused for a moment, and with a smile, looked me squarely in the eyes and quoted Albert Einstein: “We can't solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” . . . The challenge of defining the word was due largely to society’s perception on how we place labels on ‘them’-- the homeless.

“People are people--not homeless people or street people--just people!” Ian said. “Society inaccurately and unfairly labels ‘them’ as the homeless, poor, criminals, drug addicts, or dealers and alcoholics.” As I listened to this wise man, I was quietly reminded that in the past I was guilty of doing the same. I, too, had judged and attached labels to the people on the street and segregated 'them' and 'us'. I was part of the problem.

What would the world look like if we changed our thinking our words, and the labels we put on people? What would it look like if we didn't isolate people as ‘us’ and ‘them’? What would the world look like if we followed Jesus’ words, ‘Do unto other as you would have them do to you?’

5 Dye, M., Fancher, P. (1998). The Genesis Process: A Relapse Prevention Workbook for Addictive/Compulsive Behaviors. (3rd ed.).

What if we looked at others as God looks at us? The Bible says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God’s vocabulary doesn't include labels like prostitute, addict, dealer, alcoholic, and abuser, criminal, or homeless. The words God uses for us instead include “chosen, forgiven, restored, redeemed, valuable, a masterpiece.”6

Other resources

 Appendix Week 3 – The Deep Limbic System  Appendix Week 3 – The 12 Step Process  Appendix Week 3 – The Law of Pain

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS

Individuals with mental health issues are more likely to be homeless, as mental illness has a detrimental impact on all aspects of their life. People suffering from poor mental health find it more difficult to maintain close relationships with family and friends. Their cognitive abilities may be affected; making them more likely to misunderstand others and question the motives of members of their support network.

Difficulties are also likely to arise at work, as individuals may be unable to deal with workplace stresses. Many ultimately find themselves unable to maintain employment. After looking at how having mental health issues can poorly impact an individual’s life and understanding that these stressors can pile up, it’s clear why individuals suffering with mental health issues are more likely to be living in critical housing situations.

Homelessness on its own can cause issues in mental health. Transitioning from housing to living on the streets is an enormously stressful and difficult situation. Individuals trying to get off the streets may find that there are few employment, educational, and housing supports in place to help them with their goals. Impediments in the journey from being homeless to living in an adequate housing situation can be demoralizing and depressing.

In circumstances where an individual's mental health issues have acted as a precursor to their homelessness, homelessness often only further amplifies their condition. Increased exposure to harmful drugs, poor nutrition, and difficulty accessing appropriate medical care because of homelessness are all factors that directly impact mental health.7

6 Connor, M. (2016). The Shift. USA: CreateSpace. (p. 93-94). 7 www.homelesshub.ca/bog/infographic-diagnosed-mental-health-issues Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation8

Rod Wilson defines mental illness as a condition of the brain that causes alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour. It is also associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. Possible causal factors: genetics, biological, psychological, environmental, [spiritual]. Mental illness symptoms vary from mild to severe depending on the type of mental illness, the individual, the family and the socio-economic environment.9

“My three companions: Loss, Pain, and Loneliness - I didn't think I was broken. Denial was my stronghold and my enemy. There were times I didn't want to wake up to face another day. Isolation became my coping tool. I was convinced there was no one to turn to; such was the state of my depression.”10

We are addressing ‘the poverty of the soul’. . . .When I hit the lowest period in my life, I became honest with myself and acknowledged that I was ‘poor in spirit’ . . . Up until that

8 http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.htmladd 9 Rod Wilson, “Mental Illness Workshop,” January 25, 2015, North Langley Community Church 10 Connor, M. (2016). The Shift. USA: CreateSpace. (p. 21). point, I wasn't very empathetic. I didn't understand what it meant to walk in a homeless person's shoes or to share in the feelings of his or her sufferings. My first response wasn't empathy; it was apathy or worse, indifference. When I finally acknowledged my soul poverty, I began to see it reflected back to me in the faces of those suffering on the street. When I stopped navel-gazing, looking at my own self-centredness, I ceased differentiating between ‘me and them.’ I began to understand compassion.11

UNDERSTANDING ABUSE12

Psychological Abuse Definition: Any act intended to undermine your mental well-being

 Intimidating gestures or actions  Intimidating, threatening me and claiming it’s a “joke”  Threatening suicide  Threatening to kill me  Displaying weapons  Denying he/ she said things  Making light of the abuse  Telling me I’m crazy  Giving the silent treatment  Manipulating me  Playing mind games  Wearing down my instincts  Watching, stalking  Distorting reality  Bringing up the past to deflect the issue at hand  Making me prove things to him / her  Demanding perfection  Changing the rules  Using information against me  Rewriting history  Giving me glaring looks

Physical Abuse Definition: any unwanted physical contact or threat of physical contact

 Blocking exits  Driving too fast, recklessly  Locking me out of the house

11 Connor, M. (2016). The Shift. USA: CreateSpace. (p. 245). 12 Cory and McAndless-Davis, When Love Hurts, A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships, 29-35  Intimidating me  Punching, shoving, hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, or choking me  Spitting on me  Restraining me  Making threatening gestures  Throwing things at or near me  Using weapons to threaten me or the children  Pulling my hair  Biting or pinching me  Grabbing or shaking me  Threatening to kill me

Verbal Abuse Definition: any use of words or volume of voice to threaten, belittle, or injure you

 Yelling or screaming at me  Name calling  Putting me down  Swearing  Using “sarcasm” and hurtful “jokes”  Saying “you always . . .” or “you never”  Blaming me  Being condescending  Insulting me

Sexual Abuse Definition: any unwanted sexual contact

 Threatening to or having an affair  Forcing or manipulating sex  Sexual put-downs  Criticizing how I dress (too sexy or not sexy enough)  Withholding sex  Comparing me to others  Using pornography  Demanding sex as payment  Any unwanted sexual contact  Ridiculing me for saying “no”  Using my past sexual experience against me  Coercing sex by guilt, harassment or threats  Forcing sex (rape) telling me that I am not “good enough”  Telling me that I am fat or undesirable  Putting me down sexually (e.g., calling me a whore, slut, frigid, prude, etc.)  Talking to others about our sex life

Spiritual Abuse Definition: any words or action that damages you spiritually

 Putting down my faith  Cutting me off from my church  Using church and faith to his, her advantage  Soul destroying behaviour  Using Scripture against me  Using religious authority against me  Attacking my beliefs  Isolating me from my religious community

Using Children Definition: any involvement of use of children in the abuse

 Abusing children  Threatening to harm or take children away  Refusing to pay child support  Belittling me in front of my children  Putting down my culture  Speaking his, her language to exclude me  Using extended family to oppress me

Social Abuse Definition: any attempt to cut you off from sources of support or care

 Isolating me from my friends and family  Monitoring phone calls or mileage  Dictating who I can see  Preventing me from working  Refusing to spend time with the family  Being jealous  Criticizing family members and friends so I stop seeing them

Cultural Abuse Definition: any use of cultural ideas as a way to dominate you

 Using his, her culture as an excuse for abuse  Forcing me to adopt his, her cultural practices  Doesn’t allow me to participate in mainstream culture  Putting down my culture  Speaking his, her language to exclude me  Using extended family to oppress me

Emotional Abuse Definition: any act intended to undermine your emotional well-being

 Teasing  Invalidating feelings  Using guilt  Blaming me for everything  Being jealous  Threatening  Withholding affection  Waking me up  Silent treatment  Stalking  Trying to tell me how to feel  Putting me in a “no win” situation  Using a threatening tone of voice  Intimidating me  Giving mixed messages (e.g., love and hate)  Behaving unpredictably  Making me feel guilty  Being competitive  Threatening suicide  Making light of the abuse  Withdrawing emotionally  Changing mood quickly (e.g., from calm to angry)

Intellectual Abuse Definition: any act intended to make you question your intellectual ability

 Having to prove things to him, her  Mind games  Demanding perfection  Making me look or feel stupid  Attacking my ideas and opinions  Manipulation of information  Telling me that I am crazy  Claiming superior intelligence  Correcting my grammar  Confusing me  Belittling my intellectual ability  Not letting me finish my sentences

Financial Abuse Definition: any intentional act that deprives you (or your children) of financial security or limits your access to financial decision making

 Threatening to call welfare  Limiting access to money  Making me account for every penny  Controlling the money  Closing bank accounts without my consent  Taking care of own needs  Making me justify every purchase  Hiding money from me  Limiting my access to money  Spending money needed for the household on himself, herself (gambling, shopping)  Belittling my financial contributions to the household  Threatening to take all the money if I separate  Spending money carelessly  Making me beg for money  Not paying child support  Creating debt  Wasting money  Forcing me to commit welfare fraud  Leaving me with the burden of paying bills when there’s not enough money  Making financial decisions without me  Withholding financial information

Abuse of Pets and Property Definition: hurting pets or damaging property in order to intimidate, control or hurt you

• Killing or threatening pets • Punching walls and doors • Throwing things • Damaging the vehicle • Smashing and breaking things

Recommended reading for more information on this topic: When Love Hurts, A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships Jill Corey and Karen McAndless-Davis http://www.whenlovehurts.ca

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as:

“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”13 Human Trafficking Statistics in Canada

 25 convictions (41 victims) under human trafficking specific offences in the Criminal Code enacted in 2005. This does not include the numerous other convictions for human trafficking related conduct under other criminal offences.  Approximately 56 cases currently before the courts, involving at least 85 accused and 136 victims.  At least 26 of these victims were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offence.  Over 90% of these cases involve domestic human trafficking; the remaining, less than 10% involved people being brought into Canada from another country.  3 charges have been laid under section 118 of IRPA, which prohibits trafficking into Canada. While no convictions under that section have been registered, accused persons have been convicted under related IRPA [Immigration and Refugee Protection Act] provisions.14  93% of Canada’s trafficking victims come from Canada.  Most common age of recruitment is 13-14 years old.  Average annual profit from each female trafficked in Canada is $280,800.  Between 2007 and 2014 there were 71 trafficking convictions in Canada

13 https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human- trafficking.html#What_is_Human_Trafficking 14 Public Safety Canada, 2015. http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/ntnl-ctn-pln-cmbt/index- eng.aspx#toc-01.2  In 2014, there were 206 police-reported violations of human trafficking in Canada, accounting for less than 1% of all police-reported incidents.  The majority of victims were female (93%), while the majority of accused were male (83%).  Between 2009 and 2014, 47% of victims of police-reported human trafficking were between the ages 18 and 24, while one-quarter (25%) were under the age of 18.  Persons accused of police-reported human trafficking tended to be under the age of 35.  From 2005/2006 to 2013/2014, there were 53 completed adult criminal court cases involving human trafficking, of which the majority resulted in a finding of stayed or withdrawn.15

15Karam, M. (2014). Trafficking in persons Canada, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002- x/2016001/article/14641-eng.htm

Canadian Law Regarding Human Trafficking/Prostitution

Bill C-36 criminalizes, for the first time in Canadian criminal law, the purchase of sexual services. This new offence makes prostitution itself an illegal practice; every time prostitution takes place, regardless of venue, an offence is committed. In criminalizing those who create the demand for prostitution, Bill C-36 furthers its overall objective to reduce that demand, with a view to ultimately abolishing prostitution to the greatest extent possible. Bill C-36’s new purchasing offence prohibits obtaining sexual services for consideration, or communicating in any place for that purpose (section 286.1). This offence imposes maximum penalties of 5 years imprisonment where prosecuted by indictment and 18 months where prosecuted by summary conviction and escalating mandatory minimum fines. Purchasing sexual services from a person under the age of 18 is an even more serious offence. Although already prohibited in existing criminal law, Bill C-36 moves this offence to Part VIII of the Criminal Code, along with most other prostitution offences, and increases the maximum penalty from 5 to 10 years imprisonment and the applicable mandatory minimum penalty for a subsequent offence from 6 months to one year.16

16 http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/other-autre/protect/p1.html

Other Resources  “What is Sex Trafficking?” http://sharedhope.org/the-problem/what-is-sex-trafficking/  Invisible Chains by Benjamin Perrin  Red Light Green Light (2013)-Documentary  Nefarious (2011)- Documentary  Sold by Patricia McCormack  Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd  Stolen by Katariina Rosenblatt  In Our Backward by Nita Belles  The White Umbrella by Mary Frances Bowley  Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom by Dawn Herzog Jewell  The Johns by Victor Malarek  The Natashas by Victor Malarek  Fallen by Annie Lobert  God in a Brothel by Daniel Walker  Tricked (2013)- Documentary  International Justice Mission  REED (Resist Exploitation Embrace Dignity)  Love 146  A21 Campaign  Not For Sale Campaign  EVE (Formerly Exploited Voices Now Educating)  Joy Smith Foundation

Quote from The Shift “The women on the street particularly impacted me. Women with no hope. The only life they knew was the constant feeding of their addictions, 'working' the streets, and committing crime to maintain their drug habit. They were chained to their drug habit, kept prisoner by the enemy of their souls. Unworthy, ashamed, unloved, dirty, and helpless were the tattoos needled into their broken hearts.

Most of them, if not all of them, had suffered from severe abuse from early childhood and lived with the consequences every day since. The prospect of a normal life felt unreachable. Unattainable. They appeared hard-core and ‘street smart’ --masters in survival--but underneath the squalor God showed me women who were kind loving and compassionate. Their pain looked much like mine. It had entered their lives in childhood through the loss of a loved one, abuse, loneliness, rejection, abandonment or betrayal.

I ran from pain after the death of my father and had continued to run in fear for most of my life. When that pain surfaced, it was overwhelming. I was scared of it; I felt suffocated by it; and I would do almost anything to get rid of it. These women also ran from their pain--except they ran to the street, to flee their abusers, to hide, to medicate, to do anything that would kill it. And eventually kill them.

These women and I had other things in common. While we were running from pain, we were also running from the God who loves us. In our decisions to run, to do things by ourselves, we also decided to reject God. We thought much the same: ‘If God hasn't saved us from the pain of our childhoods, then why would we expect Him to save us from the pain of today?’”17

WEEK 3- HOMEWORK

1. Watch Annie Lobert’s story (13:55 mins.) http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/annie-lobert

2. Read through Week 3 content

3. Read Chapters 9-12 of The Shift and answer the coinciding questions in The Shift Discussion Guide

17 Connor, M. (2016). The Shift. USA: CreateSpace. (p. 37-38.).