[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.81,0:00:06.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember the first time that\NI saw people injecting drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.09,0:00:09.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had just arrived in Vancouver\Nto lead a research project
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.64,0:00:15.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in HIV prevention in the\Ninfamous Downtown East Side.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.10,0:00:17.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was in the lobby\Nof the Portland Hotel,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.65,0:00:20.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a supportive housing\Nproject that gave rooms
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.56,0:00:22.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the most marginalized\Npeople in the city,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.96,0:00:26.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the so-called\Ndifficult to house.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.80,0:00:29.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll never forget the\Nyoung woman standing
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.20,0:00:32.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the stairs repeatedly\Njabbing herself with a needle
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.95,0:00:35.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and screaming I\Ncan't find a vein,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.77,0:00:40.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as blood splattered on the wall.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.14,0:00:44.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In response to the desperate\Nstate of affairs, the drug use,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.10,0:00:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the poverty, the violence\N, the soaring rates of HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.78,0:00:53.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Vancouver declared a public\Nhealth emergency in 1997.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.43,0:00:56.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This opened the door to\Nexpanding harm reduction
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.01,0:00:58.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,services, distributing\Nmore needles,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.53,0:01:01.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,increasing access to methadone,\Nand, finally, opening
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.86,0:01:04.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a supervised injection site.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.08,0:01:08.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things that make injecting\Ndrugs less hazardous.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.91,0:01:12.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But today, 20 years\Nlater, harm reduction
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.24,0:01:15.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is still viewed as some\Nsort of radical concept.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.81,0:01:18.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In some places it's\Nstill illegal to carry
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.54,0:01:19.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a clean needle.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.74,0:01:21.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Drug users are far\Nmore likely to be
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.87,0:01:25.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,arrested than to be\Noffered methadone therapy.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.44,0:01:28.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Recent proposals for\Nsupervised injection sites
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.26,0:01:31.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in cities like Seattle,\NBaltimore, and New York
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.68,0:01:34.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have been met with\Nstiff opposition.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.80,0:01:37.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Opposition that goes\Nagainst everything
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.56,0:01:40.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we know about addiction.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.30,0:01:41.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why is that?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.74,0:01:44.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why are we still\Nstuck on the idea
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.19,0:01:48.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the only option is to stop\Nusing that any drug use will
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.54,0:01:51.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not be tolerated?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.06,0:01:54.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why do we ignore\Ncountless personal stories
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.78,0:01:57.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and overwhelming\Nscientific evidence
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.30,0:02:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that harm reduction works?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.98,0:02:04.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Critics say that harm\Nreduction doesn't stop people
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.79,0:02:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from using illegal drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.08,0:02:09.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, actually, that\Nis the whole point.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.77,0:02:12.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After every criminal\Nand societal sanction
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.65,0:02:15.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we can come up with\Npeople still use drugs,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.80,0:02:19.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and far too many die.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.10,0:02:21.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Critics also say that we\Nare giving up on people
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.92,0:02:27.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by not focusing our attention\Non treatment and recovery.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.06,0:02:28.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it is\Njust the opposite.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.74,0:02:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are not giving up on people.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.18,0:02:32.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We know that if recovery\Nis ever going to happen
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.54,0:02:34.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we must keep people alive.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.73,0:02:38.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Offering someone a clean needle\Nor a safe place to inject
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.33,0:02:42.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the first step to\Ntreatment and recovery.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.95,0:02:45.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Critics also claim\Nthat harm reduction
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.41,0:02:49.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gives the wrong message to\Nour children about drug users.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.98,0:02:54.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The last time I looked, these\Ndrug users are our children.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.36,0:02:58.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The message of harm reduction is\Nthat well, drugs can hurt you.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.34,0:03:01.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We still must reach out to\Npeople who are addicted.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.25,0:03:05.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A needle exchange is not an\Nadvertisement for drug use.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.75,0:03:09.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Neither is a methadone clinic\Nor a supervised injection site.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.77,0:03:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What you see there are\Npeople sick and hurting,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.16,0:03:16.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hardly an endorsement\Nfor drug use.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.98,0:03:19.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's take supervised\Ninjection sites, for example.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.92,0:03:23.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Probably the most misunderstood\Nhealth intervention ever.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.57,0:03:26.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All we are saying is\Nthat allowing people
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.27,0:03:30.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to inject in a clean, dry space\Nwith fresh needles surrounded
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.77,0:03:33.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by people who care\Nis a lot better
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.77,0:03:37.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than injecting in a dingy alley\Nsharing contaminated needles
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.46,0:03:39.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hiding out from police.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.47,0:03:42.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's better for everybody.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.81,0:03:45.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first supervised\Ninjection site in Vancouver
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.81,0:03:49.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was at 327 Carol\NStreet, a narrow room
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.71,0:03:52.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a concrete floor,\Na few chairs and a box
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.86,0:03:54.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of clean needles.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.15,0:03:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The police would\Noften lock it down,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.46,0:04:00.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but somehow it always\Nmysteriously reopened, often,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.93,0:04:03.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the aid of a crowbar.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.72,0:04:05.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would go down\Nthere some evenings
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.49,0:04:07.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to provide medical\Ncare for people
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.38,0:04:08.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were injecting drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.67,0:04:11.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was always struck with a\Ncommitment and compassion
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.94,0:04:15.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the people who operated\Nand used this site.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.24,0:04:18.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No judgment, no\Nhassles, no fear,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.45,0:04:20.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lots of profound conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.56,0:04:23.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that despite\Nunimaginable trauma,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.82,0:04:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,physical pain, and mental\Nillness that everyone
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.48,0:04:30.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there thought that\Nthings would get better.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.63,0:04:34.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most were convinced\Nthat some day they'd
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.05,0:04:38.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,stop using drugs altogether.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.58,0:04:41.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That room was the forerunner\Nto North America's
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.97,0:04:44.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first government sanctioned\Nsupervised injection
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.94,0:04:46.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,site called INSITE.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.53,0:04:50.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It opened in September of\N2003 as a three year research
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.67,0:04:51.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,project.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.48,0:04:54.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The conservative government\Nwas intent on closing it down
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.69,0:04:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the end of the study.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.58,0:05:00.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After eight years, the\Nbattle to close INSITE
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.45,0:05:02.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,went all the way up to\NCanada's Supreme Court.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.97,0:05:04.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It pitted the\Ngovernment of Canada
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.77,0:05:08.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,against two people with a\Nlong history of drug use
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.13,0:05:11.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who knew the benefits of\NINSITE firsthand, Dean
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.25,0:05:14.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wilson and Shelley Tomic.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.37,0:05:16.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The court ruled in\Nfavor of keeping
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.47,0:05:19.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,INSITE open by nine to zero.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.53,0:05:22.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The justices were\Nscathing in their response
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.59,0:05:24.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the government's case.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.72,0:05:28.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I quote, "The effect of\Ndenying the services of INSITE
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.71,0:05:31.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the population that it\Nserves and the correlate have
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.53,0:05:33.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,increased in their risk\Nof death and disease
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.87,0:05:36.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to injection drug\Nusers is grossly
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.69,0:05:39.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,disproportionate to\Nany benefit that Canada
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.54,0:05:43.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,might derive from\Npresenting a uniform stance
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.47,0:05:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the possession of narcotics."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.54,0:05:50.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was a hopeful moment\Nfor harm reduction.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.39,0:05:54.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yet, despite this strong\Nmessage from the Supreme Court,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.29,0:05:57.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was, until very\Nrecently, impossible
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.77,0:06:00.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to open up any new\Nsites in Canada.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.80,0:06:02.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was one\Ninteresting thing that
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.69,0:06:06.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happened in December\Nof 2016 when
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.56,0:06:10.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,due to the overdose crisis, the\Ngovernment of British Columbia
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.40,0:06:15.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,allowed the opening of\Noverdose prevention sites.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.17,0:06:18.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Essentially ignoring the\Nfederal approval process,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.53,0:06:21.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,community groups\Nopened up about 22
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.11,0:06:24.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of these de facto illegal\Nsupervised injection
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.08,0:06:26.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sites across the province.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.60,0:06:29.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Virtually overnight,\Nthousands of people
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.00,0:06:31.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could use drugs\Nunder supervision.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.16,0:06:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hundreds of overdoses\Nwere reversed
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.20,0:06:36.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by naloxone and nobody died.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.53,0:06:40.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, this is what's happened\Nat INSITE over the last 14
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.37,0:06:41.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,years.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.20,0:06:46.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,75,000 different individuals\Nhave injected illegal drugs,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.34,0:06:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than 3 and\N1/2 million times,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.58,0:06:52.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not one person has died.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.29,0:06:55.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nobody has ever died at INSITE.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.97,0:06:58.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.95,0:07:00.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there you have it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.15,0:07:04.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have scientific\Nevidence and successes
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.35,0:07:08.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from needle exchanges, methadone\Nand supervised injection sites.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.85,0:07:12.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are commonsense,\Ncompassionate approaches
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.30,0:07:16.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to drug use that improve health,\Nbring connection, and greatly
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.68,0:07:20.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reduce suffering and death.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.54,0:07:23.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why haven't harm reduction\Nprograms taking off?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.63,0:07:30.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why do we still think that drug\Nuse is law enforcement issue?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.72,0:07:34.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our disdain for drugs and\Ndrug users goes very deep.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.46,0:07:37.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are bombarded with\Nimages and media stories
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.81,0:07:40.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about the horrible\Nimpacts of drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.60,0:07:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have stigmatized\Nentire communities.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.96,0:07:48.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We applaud military inspired\Noperations that bring down
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.55,0:07:53.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drug dealers, and we appear\Nunfazed by building more jails
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.17,0:07:58.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to incarcerate people whose\Nonly crime is using drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.96,0:08:01.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Virtually millions of\Npeople are caught up
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.93,0:08:04.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a hopeless cycle of\Nincarceration, violence,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.90,0:08:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and poverty that has been\Ncreated by our drug laws
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.73,0:08:12.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not the drugs themselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.90,0:08:15.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do I explain to people\Nthat drug users deserve
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.75,0:08:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,care and support and the\Nfreedom to live their lives when
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.96,0:08:25.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all we see are images of guns\Nand handcuffs and jail cells?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.71,0:08:29.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's be clear,\Ncriminalization is just a way
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.64,0:08:33.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to institutionalize stigma.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.00,0:08:36.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Making drugs\Nillegal does nothing
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.54,0:08:38.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to stop people from using them.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.22,0:08:41.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.95,0:08:45.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our paralysis to see\Nthings differently
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.28,0:08:49.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is also based on an entirely\Nfalse narrative about drug use.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.84,0:08:52.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have been led to\Nbelieve that drug users are
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.36,0:08:56.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,irresponsible people who just\Nwant to get high, and then
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.11,0:08:58.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through their own\Npersonal failings
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.25,0:09:02.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spiral down into a life\Nof crime and poverty,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.14,0:09:07.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,losing their jobs their families\Nand, ultimately, their lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.19,0:09:10.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In reality, most drug\Nusers have a story,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.86,0:09:15.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether it's childhood trauma,\Nsexual abuse, mental illness,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.17,0:09:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a personal tragedy.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.64,0:09:18.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The drugs are used\Nto numb the pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.94,0:09:22.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.13,0:09:25.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We must understand\Nthat as we approach
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.94,0:09:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people with so much trauma.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.21,0:09:33.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At its core our drug policies\Nare really a social justice
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.71,0:09:34.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,issue.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.21,0:09:37.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While the media may focus on\Noverdose deaths like Prince
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.97,0:09:41.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Michael Jackson, the\Nmajority of the suffering
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.36,0:09:45.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happens to people who are\Nliving on the margins, the poor
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.71,0:09:47.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the dispossessed.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.57,0:09:50.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They don't vote,\Nthey are often alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.92,0:09:55.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They are society's\Ndisposable people.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.04,0:09:59.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even within health care, drug\Nuse is highly stigmatized.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.97,0:10:03.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People using drugs avoid\Nthe health care system.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.08,0:10:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They know that once\Nengaged in clinical care
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.67,0:10:08.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or admitted to hospital,\Nthey will be treated poorly,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.82,0:10:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and their supply line, be it\Nheroin, cocaine or crystal
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.97,0:10:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,meth, will be interrupted.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.70,0:10:16.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On top of that,\Nthey will be asked
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.65,0:10:21.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a barrage of questions that only\Nserve to expose their losses
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.03,0:10:22.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and shame.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.35,0:10:23.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What drugs do you use?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.76,0:10:25.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How long have you been\Nliving on the street?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.59,0:10:28.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where are your children?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.32,0:10:30.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When were you last in jail?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.58,0:10:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Essentially, why the hell\Ndon't you stop using drugs?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.95,0:10:39.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, our entire medical\Napproach to drug use
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.57,0:10:40.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is upside down.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.89,0:10:45.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For some reason we have\Ndecided that abstinence
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.06,0:10:47.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the best way to treat this.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.97,0:10:51.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you're lucky enough, you\Nmay get into a detox program.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.42,0:10:54.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you live in a community\Nwith suboxone or methadone,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.51,0:10:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you may get on a\Nsubstitution program.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.48,0:11:00.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hardly ever would we offer\Npeople what they desperately
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.48,0:11:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,need to survive, a safe\Nprescription for opioids.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.04,0:11:09.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Starting with abstinence is\Nlike asking a new diabetic
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.88,0:11:12.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to quit sugar or\Na severe asthmatic
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.70,0:11:15.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to start running marathons\Nor a depressed person
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.25,0:11:16.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to just be happy.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.48,0:11:18.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For any other\Nmedical condition, we
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.19,0:11:21.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would never start with\Nthe most extreme option.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.40,0:11:23.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What makes us\Nthink that strategy
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.71,0:11:28.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would work for something\Nas complex as addiction?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.57,0:11:31.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, unintentional\Noverdoses are not new.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.03,0:11:34.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The scale of the current\Ncrisis is unprecedented.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.15,0:11:39.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Center for Disease Control\Nestimated that 64,000 Americans
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.46,0:11:43.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,died of a drug overdose in\N2016, far exceeding car crashes
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.81,0:11:45.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or homicides.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.70,0:11:49.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Drug related mortality\Nis now the leading cause
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.27,0:11:52.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of death among men and\Nwomen between 20 and 50
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.60,0:11:55.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,years old in North America.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.15,0:11:57.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Think about that.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.26,0:12:02.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How did we get to this\Npoint, and why now?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.29,0:12:04.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a kind of perfect\Nstorm around opioids.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.96,0:12:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Drugs like OxyContin,\NPercocet, and Dilaudid
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.65,0:12:12.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have been liberally\Ndistributed for decades
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.16,0:12:14.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for all kinds of pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.89,0:12:17.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is estimated that two\Nmillion Americans are daily
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.65,0:12:21.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,opioid users, and\Nover 60 million people
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.70,0:12:24.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,received at least one\Nprescription for opioids
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.55,0:12:26.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,last year.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.14,0:12:28.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This massive dump of\Nprescription drugs
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.87,0:12:31.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into communities has\Nprovided a steady source
Dialogue: 0,0:12:31.69,0:12:35.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for people wanting\Nto self-medicate.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.16,0:12:38.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In response to this\Nprescription epidemic,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.49,0:12:41.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people have been cut\Noff, and this has greatly
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.40,0:12:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reduced the street supply.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.86,0:12:46.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The unintended but\Npredictable consequences
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.46,0:12:48.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is an overdose epidemic.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.36,0:12:52.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many people who were reliant on\Na steady supply of prescription
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.17,0:12:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drugs turned to heroin and,\Nnow, the illegal drug market
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.46,0:12:58.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has tragically switched\Nto synthetic drugs,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.89,0:13:01.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mainly fentanyl.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.14,0:13:05.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These new drugs are cheap,\Npotent, and extremely hard
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.37,0:13:06.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dose.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.45,0:13:08.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People are literally\Nbeing poisoned.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.58,0:13:11.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.47,0:13:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Can you imagine if\Nthis was any other kind
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.26,0:13:15.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of poisoning epidemic?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.83,0:13:17.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What if thousands\Nof people started
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.59,0:13:22.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dying from poisoned meat\Nor baby formula or coffee?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.06,0:13:24.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We would be treating\Nthis as a true emergency.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.34,0:13:28.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We would immediately be\Nsupplying safer alternatives.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.00,0:13:30.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There would be changes\Nin legislation,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.02,0:13:34.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we would be supporting the\Nvictims and their families.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.42,0:13:36.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But for the drug\Noverdose epidemic
Dialogue: 0,0:13:36.39,0:13:38.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have done none of that.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.43,0:13:41.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We continue to demonize the\Ndrugs and the people who
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.73,0:13:46.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,use them, and blindly\Npour even more resources
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.50,0:13:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into law enforcement.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.12,0:13:50.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.89,0:13:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So where should we go from here?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.56,0:13:57.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, we should\Nfully embrace, fund,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.07,0:14:00.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and scale up harm reduction\Nprograms across North America.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.49,0:14:03.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that in places\Nlike Vancouver,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.34,0:14:07.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,harm reduction has been a\Nlifeline to care and treatment.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.45,0:14:09.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that the number\Nof overdose deaths
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.82,0:14:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would be far higher\Nwithout harm reduction,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.18,0:14:18.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I personally know hundreds\Nof people who are alive today
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.81,0:14:21.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of harm reduction.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.81,0:14:23.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But harm reduction\Nis just the start.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.75,0:14:28.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we truly want to make an\Nimpact on this drug crisis,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.07,0:14:31.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need to have a serious\Nconversation about prohibition
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.94,0:14:34.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and criminal punishment.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.49,0:14:38.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to recognize that drug\Nuse is, first and foremost,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:38.66,0:14:46.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a public health issue and turn\Nto comprehensive social and
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.28,0:14:48.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,health solutions.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:48.90,0:14:50.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We already have a model\Nfor how this can work.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.88,0:14:54.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 2001 Portugal was\Nhaving its own drug crisis.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.39,0:14:57.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lots of people using\Ndrugs, high crime rates,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.60,0:14:59.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and an overdose epidemic.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:59.49,0:15:03.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They defied global conventions\Nand decriminalized all drug
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.39,0:15:04.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,possession.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.83,0:15:07.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Money that was spent\Non drug enforcement
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.29,0:15:11.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was redirected to health\Nand rehabilitation programs.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.10,0:15:13.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The results are in.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:13.05,0:15:17.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Overall drug use is\Ndown dramatically.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.24,0:15:19.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Overdoses are uncommon.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.95,0:15:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many more people\Nare in treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.14,0:15:26.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and people have been\Ngiven their lives back.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.76,0:15:29.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.33,0:15:32.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have come so\Nfar down the road
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.00,0:15:36.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of prohibition, punishment, and\Nprejudice that we have become
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.11,0:15:38.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,indifferent to the\Nsuffering that we
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.12,0:15:40.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have inflicted on the\Nmost vulnerable people
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.85,0:15:42.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in our society.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:42.32,0:15:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This year even more\Npeople will get caught up
Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.92,0:15:48.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the illegal drug trade.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:48.62,0:15:52.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thousands of children will learn\Nthat their mother or father
Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.94,0:15:57.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has been sent to\Njail for using drugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.84,0:16:00.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And far too many\Nparents will be notified
Dialogue: 0,0:16:00.90,0:16:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that their son or daughter\Nhas died of a drug overdose.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.47,0:16:10.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It doesn't have to be this way.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:10.58,0:16:12.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:12.43,0:16:18.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,