MEET THOSE OF US IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE STIGMA

The Support Not Stigma campaign has been co-developed with the KFL&A Community Drug Strategy partners. It aims to raise awareness about substance use stigma and its impacts on the health and wellness of those of us who use substances.

Between 2023 and 2024, the KFL&A Community Drug Strategy partnered with Support Not Stigma (Trellis) to gather stories from those of us with lived experience of substance use stigma. On International Overdose Awareness Day 2023 (August 31), Support Not Stigma partnered with the KFL&A Community Drug Strategy to launch phase 1 of the Support Not Stigma campaign. The first phase of the SNS campaign aimed to:
  1. Increase the KFL&A community knowledge of substance use stigma and how it impacts People Who Use Substances.
  2. Increase the KFL&A community knowledge about who People Who Use Substances are.
  3. Increase the KFL&A community understanding about how to support People Who Use Substances.

Chris

Chris is an athlete, leader, and frontline harm reduction worker. After a severe sports injury, he was prescribed opioids for pain. As he faced additional physical and emotional challenges, his substance use progressed. Through connection, community, and understanding, Chris found a way forward. He now uses his experience to support others and challenge the stigma that makes it harder to seek help. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion.

Chris wants you to know that connection, community and understanding are what helps to overcome substance use stigma.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

Kristy

Kristy is a mother and a strong, compassionate harm reduction worker. She’s also recovering from opioid use and the death of her father. Kristy continues to overcome grief, anguish, anxiety and judgement from others. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion. Kristy wants you to know that understanding a person’s full story, with empathy and compassion, helps us move beyond substance use stigma and toward healing and connection.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

Sue

Sue is a supportive mother and a relentless advocate for harm reduction. Sue also lost her son to a long struggle with mental health and substance use challenges. The grief doesn’t get softer or easier. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion.

Sue’s story is that of a mother who fought fiercely for her son. She wants you to know that stigma doesn’t get to choose who deserves compassion because every person has the right to compassionate care.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

Derek

Derek is a father, brother, and hardworking outreach worker. He also survived childhood neglect and the tragic deaths of friends and family members. He turned to substance use when doctors wouldn’t help with his depression. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion. Derek wants you to know that stigma stops us from asking the most important questions to understand the root causes of substance use. When we lead with compassion instead of stigma, we create space for real conversations and real healing.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

Nikki

Nikki is a mother and an outspoken advocate for people experiencing homelessness and who use substances. She also lost her home in a fire, which led her to lose custody of her kids. Nikki is trying to get back on her feet but still uses substances to cope with her pain. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion. When Nikki is stigmatized for substance use, she feels her loss all over again. She wants you to remember that we’re all human beings—living through ups and downs, surviving hardship, and deserving compassion through it all.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

jay

Jay is a chemical engineer, world traveler, and loving son. Jay’s substance use started to manage pain from a work-related injury. When his mother died, Jay ‘s substance use helped him to cope with his grief. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion. Jay wants you to know that we can overcome substance use stigma by treating people with compassion. His experience shows that when we look beyond the stigma, we see strength, resilience, and the humanity that connects us all.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.