Connect
An online space where Canadian stakeholders in harm reduction and drug policy come together, learn, and network on specific topics.
NOT JUST WEBINARS
We strive to provide an online space where authentic connections are made on issues that affect us all.
Our topics are curated in consultation with the Stimulus National Implementation and Planning (SNIP) Committee and their Executive Committee. A group of key stakeholders are then brought together to collaboratively plan the content, speakers and methods of each event.
As with other Stimulus program activities we work from a framework of: Nothing About Us Without Us.
ENGLISH/FRENCH SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION
Stimulus Connects and Webinars
Stimulus Connect 13: Recognizing Expertise
This Stimulus Connect will present the findings from the CAPUD Best Practices in Meaningful and Respectful Engagement of People Who Use Drugs (Best Practices Project), led by the Canadian...
Stimulus Connect 12: Benefits of Stimulants
In Canada, drug discussions are often centred around how using drugs from the illegal market is dangerous. However, there is much evidence to suggest otherwise. “Eighty to 90 percent of people are...
The Canadian Prison System: Realities and Innovative Practices
Today, harm reduction is slowly making its way into prison settings. However, in reality, this approach is not sufficiently implemented, and often poorly thought out for incarcerated people who use...
Stimulus Connect 10 & 11: Impact of the Pandemic on People Who Use Drugs
Canada was experiencing a massive wave of overdoses, but with 2020 came the COVID-19 pandemic which made unprecedented impact on people’s lives. There are changes to the illegal drug market and even...
Stimulus Connect 9: Harm Reduction & Drug Selling
Illegal drug markets provide drugs that governments and regulatory bodies prohibit access to. The current drug laws perpetuate harm through the failed “war on drugs”. Historically in Canada,...
Stimulus Webinars – Decriminalization: Beyond the Buzzword
Up to now, drug policies in Canada have failed to protect the health and human rights of people who use drugs. Criminalization puts, more than ever, people who use drugs at risk and contributes to...
Stimulus Connect 8: Harm Reduction Tools for Parents and Caregivers
There are a range of factors, and layers of overlapping oppression that can challenge parents and caregivers who use substances. This oppression may include sexism, racism, colonialism, classism and...
Stimulus Connect 7: Walking the Walk
Across Canada there is growing interest in ensuring that the principle of “ Nothing About Us Without Us” is not only honoured, but truly respected. Facilitating meaningful inclusion of people who...
Stimulus Connect 6: Defunding the Police
Have you considered why most harm reduction and drug policy activists support the movement to Defund the Police? How are harm reduction philosophy, drug policy reform and the movement to defund the...
Stimulus Webinars – When Harm Reduction Loses its Authenticity
Today, the term Harm Reduction is everywhere, often misunderstood and sometimes misused. Its principles and philosophy are forgotten, leaving room for a false vision of what it represents. People...
Stimulus Connect 5: My Safe Supply
Canada is experiencing the worst ever overdose poisoning epidemic in our country’s history. Over 70% of overdose deaths are related to highly concentrated fentanyl in the unregulated and toxic drug...
Stimulus Connect 4: Women, Drugs, Pregnancy and the State
Women experience increased barriers to health and social services, and when they use drugs and/or engage in sex work they experience additional stigma and discrimination. Women who are pregnant...
Stimulus Connect 13: Recognizing Expertise
This Stimulus Connect will present the findings from the CAPUD Best Practices in Meaningful and Respectful Engagement of People Who Use Drugs (Best Practices Project), led by the Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs(CAPUD) and the Canadian Drug Policy...
Stimulus Connect 12: Benefits of Stimulants
In Canada, drug discussions are often centred around how using drugs from the illegal market is dangerous. However, there is much evidence to suggest otherwise. “Eighty to 90 percent of people are not negatively affected by drugs, but in the scientific literature...
The Canadian Prison System: Realities and Innovative Practices
Today, harm reduction is slowly making its way into prison settings. However, in reality, this approach is not sufficiently implemented, and often poorly thought out for incarcerated people who use substances. With a critical eye, we will revisit harm reduction...
Stimulus Connect 10 & 11: Impact of the Pandemic on People Who Use Drugs
Canada was experiencing a massive wave of overdoses, but with 2020 came the COVID-19 pandemic which made unprecedented impact on people’s lives. There are changes to the illegal drug market and even higher rates of overdoses, changes to income and material security...
Stimulus Connect 9: Harm Reduction & Drug Selling
Illegal drug markets provide drugs that governments and regulatory bodies prohibit access to. The current drug laws perpetuate harm through the failed “war on drugs”. Historically in Canada, societal responses to people who sell drugs include demonizing those engaged...
Stimulus Webinars – Decriminalization: Beyond the Buzzword
Up to now, drug policies in Canada have failed to protect the health and human rights of people who use drugs. Criminalization puts, more than ever, people who use drugs at risk and contributes to their marginalization and oppression. As the country faces two major...
Stimulus Connect 8: Harm Reduction Tools for Parents and Caregivers
There are a range of factors, and layers of overlapping oppression that can challenge parents and caregivers who use substances. This oppression may include sexism, racism, colonialism, classism and homophobia. What are some harm reduction strategies for parents or...
Stimulus Connect 7: Walking the Walk
Across Canada there is growing interest in ensuring that the principle of “ Nothing About Us Without Us” is not only honoured, but truly respected. Facilitating meaningful inclusion of people who use drugs by offering attendance alone is a fail. Rather, people who use...
Stimulus Connect 6: Defunding the Police
Have you considered why most harm reduction and drug policy activists support the movement to Defund the Police? How are harm reduction philosophy, drug policy reform and the movement to defund the police linked? How do the police benefit from the criminalization of...
Stimulus Webinars – When Harm Reduction Loses its Authenticity
Today, the term Harm Reduction is everywhere, often misunderstood and sometimes misused. Its principles and philosophy are forgotten, leaving room for a false vision of what it represents. People who use drugs and social justice are at the centre, it goes beyond risk...
Stimulus Connect 5: My Safe Supply
Canada is experiencing the worst ever overdose poisoning epidemic in our country’s history. Over 70% of overdose deaths are related to highly concentrated fentanyl in the unregulated and toxic drug market. Access to a safe supply of drugs is urgently needed. Building...
Stimulus Connect 4: Women, Drugs, Pregnancy and the State
Women experience increased barriers to health and social services, and when they use drugs and/or engage in sex work they experience additional stigma and discrimination. Women who are pregnant experience the additional judgements of government authorities and many...