Reception at 6 pm

Film at 6:30 pm followed by discussion

Dopesick was produced by VICE Canada and follows the lives of people in Alberta using, and/or affected by, bootleg fentanyls: a non-pharmaceutical, high-dose opioid that is being added into a variety of substances, often without the knowledge of the consumer. Dopesick provides a glimpse into a world of substance use many of us hear about, but never witness.

Bootleg fentanyls have driven overdose fatalities to record-breaking levels in Alberta, British Columbia and, we suspect, in Ontario.  On top of the existing opioid crisis that claims one life every 13 hours in Ontario, many are calling the emergence of bootleg fentanyls a ‘crisis within a crisis.’

See the film and engage with a panel of local experts in a discussion of the issues!

Registration required.

Plus!  Free overdose training with naloxone at 5:30 pm (register here).

Allison Tierney is a journalist who is currently Content Manager and Staff Writer for VICE.com Canada. Allison specializes in reporting on drugs and subcultures; her work has appeared in documentaries, in print, and online.

When life throws a curveball such as a life altering event or trauma, it’s not uncommon to completely unravel.  In 2013, Christine lost her youngest son Austin, at age 17, to an accidental drug overdose.  She contemplated becoming very isolated and withdrawn, or, reframing the experience into something that mattered.   Today, Christine is passionate about helping others navigate their new reality after the loss of a child through her grief support group called GRASP, as well as educating others, in particular youth, on harm reduction and overdose prevention strategies.

Larissa Ziesmann has lived in Vancouver, Portland , Toronto, Kelowna and now Kitchener. She is a living and breathing example of Harm Reduction at work. From working with people  in mental health and addiction to coming out the other side of a 15 year opiate addiction, she is now a Peer Health Worker with KDCHC and dreams of taking the shame and secrecy out of addiction.

Pam McIntosh brings more than 30 years of leadership and experience in addictions treatment.  Throughout her career, Pam has been a key collaborator with local and provincial partners to improve addiction treatment and aftercare services within Waterloo Region and beyond.

Shawney Cohen is an award winning filmmaker based in Toronto. His documentaries have appeared in many international film festivals and television stations around the world. Cohen is currently a producer and director for VICE Media.