INTRO – NEED TO KNOW NEWS: World AIDS day DEAR HARMY: What are poppers? - RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Harm Reduction Apps for your Phone – NEED TO KNOW LINKS – Carl Hart NEED TO KNOW: NEWS World AIDS Day: Harm Reduction Reaching From It’s Roots December 1st was World AIDS Day.
The theme was “#rethinkhiv”, a challenge issued to counter outdated, stigmatizing and false information about HIV/AIDS. It is a day to commemorate those who have been lost to and affected by the disease, but also a day to recognize the advances in treatment and the positive and vital lifestyle a person with HIV can live with as a result.
Just as HIV/AIDS work and activism helped redefine priorities, language and service around substance use and sexual health, the harm reduction field in general is now Harm reduction is a good place to start this evaluation. It asks us to showing far reaching relevance in areas of youth work, see all people as deserving of service. It asks us to interact with what mental health and even developmental services. is real and not impose our definition of ‘ideal’. It asks us to use language that does not separate and isolate, but strengthens and As we reflect on what we think vs. what is known about HIV includes. It requires us to examine the information we have, where it (World Aids Day website) and the harms created by came from and critique what our service users show or tell us is not ignorance, it is natural to evaluate our own service from the true for them. It welcomes the truth and the whole story. Harm same perspective. As DYS endeavours to work with people reduction gives us tools to serve our youth with the message “All of who use drugs in a greater capacity, the first step is to you is welcome here. You don’t need to feel shame for what is real. I honestly appraise the stigma we carry indivdually and want to understand. When I do understand, I will still see you as institutionally and how that may impact our work. strong, valuable and able.”
INTRO – NEED TO KNOW NEWS: World AIDS day DEAR HARMY: What are poppers? - RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Harm Reduction Apps for your Phone – NEED TO KNOW LINKS – Carl Hart Dear Harmy, By “addictive” here, I mean, unwanted but I keep hearing about “poppers”. What are people talking continued and compulsive use of the drug. Anecdotally, some about? I’ve heard the term before but I don’t think they’re youth have shared that while they have no desire to quit smoking talking about the same thing. Signed, Popper weed, they would really like to quit smoking “poppers”. Many Perplexed in Parkdale youth believe this is the best method to maximize the effect of a Dear Perplexed, limited supply and it is often practiced in groups of youth for The word “poppers” definitely needs context whom there may not be enough to share. before you can be sure about what people are talking about. For other people the word “poppers” refers to In my youth, it meant a shot of alcohol popped into 7-Up and various forms of nitrites (i.e. amyl-, isopropyl-, isobutyl-), which consumed quickly. I’m pretty sure that’s not what people are short acting inhalants sold in vials. They are vasodilators mean anymore. (makes veins expand, relaxes smooth muscle tissue, lowers blood Often, when youth are referring to poppers, pressure) and produce a dizzying, euphoric rush for a few minutes. they are referring to a method of smoking marijuana. It They are inhaled through an opening in a cap or vial and are involves cutting a small piece of a cigarette off and putting it widely used in the club and party scene. Popularized on the 70’s into a metal tube. Marijuana is then packed on top of the disco scene, poppers are still used by a diverse range of people cigarette piece. The tube is inserted into a bottle and the seeking to elevate their experience of music, dancing and sexual marijuana is lit through the tube and inhaled through the activity. Many of the youth we serve are well aware of the PnP bottle mouth. It is inhaled until sometimes the packed (Party and Play) community in which drugs are combined with material “pops” through the tube into the bottle. This method sexual activity, poppers being one such drug that is easily accessed is used partly as a means of extending their supply, but mostly and inexpensive. as a means of achieving it’s unique effect. This method has Given it’s many potential uses, my advice would been described as producing the ‘head rush of a full cigarette’ be to avoid all misunderstanding and just ask what they mean. By followed by the sustained high of marijuana. Adding this doing this, you’ll show that you are curious and care about their immediate and intense tobacco “hit” to the long acting high world. You’ll have the opportunity to build trust by listening and created by the marijuana creates a reward/withdrawal showing non-judgment and you’ll communicate to them that they experience that some youth have described as more have knowledge and strengths that you can learn from. Build “addictive” than just smoking marijuana. your knowledge and relationship at the same time! Yours truly, Harmy INTRO – NEED TO KNOW NEWS: World AIDS day DEAR HARMY: What are poppers? - RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Harm Reduction Apps for your Phone – NEED TO KNOW LINKS – Carl Hart RESOURCE OF THE MONTH Dancesafe – “is a nonprofit, harm reduction Harm Reduction/Substance Use Apps organization promoting health and safety within the rave and nightclub community. This app gives quick access to drug facts and emergency care information.
Drugs – a comprehensive “wiki” style app containing information about a wide range of drugs, their history, desired effects and adverse effects to be aware of.
Erowid – the app version of Erowid.org – a library of information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, drugs and techonologies. Each topic has summary card with links to the website for more information. A great resource to read and learn about different user experiences.
Getting High – the proud product of the DYS Curriculum and Development team – developed for and by youth to help them ‘stop and think’ before using drugs, considering themselves, the setting, the substance and how that will interplay. A printable summary of their plan is created at the end . A great tool for youth workers and counsellors!
Catnip – Do Drugs Better is the slogan. A harm reduction tool TripSit – Harm Reduction information and live aimed at “rave drugs” mostly, featuring a Trip Timer, Drug History online support for drug users. Particularly good information about tool, Dosage Information, Chemical Data and general info on recommended dosages and drug interactions. MDMA, LSD, GHB, Ketamine and more. INTRO – NEED TO KNOW NEWS: World AIDS day DEAR HARMY: What are poppers? - RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: Harm Reduction Apps for your Phone – NEED TO KNOW LINKS – Carl Hart NEED TO KNOW LINKS – We <3 Carl Hart "The notion that we should live in a drug free world is not even worth discussing." - Dr. Carl Hart on Drugs.
Dr. Carl Hart is a good introduction to why the Harm Reduction conversation has expanded to include drug policy. He is a credible voice examining who has dominated the conversation around drugs and addiction including their qualifications and motives. He explores the negative impact of widespread messages of fear and uses science, research and socio-political context to advance the conversation towards real information that can inform decision making on an individual and social scale.
https://youtu.be/nCJ3HviSa4E?list=PLoZ26yiBVIT-sG0VcLJj3EHiVWSUDjGZs - an excerpt from the full episode of London Real interviewing Dr. Carl Hart on myths and misconceptions about drugs and “addiction”. This is one of
many forums where Dr. Hart educates people about how common “successful drug use” is in society. His research and education actively challenges widely held beliefs about drugs, their effects, their risks and how miseducation leads to repressive policy that does lead to drug related harms.
You can watch the FULL EPISODE here: http://bit.ly/DrCarlHartLondonReal
If you’re into podcasts, catch his poignant interview on The Joe Rogan Experience here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5jMC8j7ElI
Watch him coolly take John Stossel to school in the face of a stereotypical and status quo line of questioning here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_C3q-QFq2M