placeholder

Stigma

Stop Stigma, Save Lives.

The stories shared as part of this project may trigger distressing feelings. If you need emotional support, please contact the 24-hour crisis line for Northern BC at 1-888-562-1214.

About this project

Stigma against people who use drugs results in discrimination, impacts health, and contributes to overdoses. Sharing stories of people who use drugs can reduce stigma.

The Stop Stigma. Save Lives. project shares the words of 12 people with firsthand or family experiences of drug use. Through these stories, we hope to build compassion, encourage empathy, and contribute to a community that treats all people with dignity and respect. We thank all of the participants for their courage and willingness to share their stories.

We all have a role to play to challenge stigma. We encourage you to learn from and share these stories (seen below).

Stories were recorded in July 2016.

Stories

What you can do

  • Treat every human being with dignity and respect.
  • See a person for who they are, not what drugs they use.
  • Listen while withholding judgment.
  • Avoid using labels.
  • Replace negative assumptions with evidence-based facts.
  • Use people-first language.

Videos

Posters

Helpful links