CAPED

Cape Breton Association of People Empowering Drug Users challenges the discrimination and criminalization of PWUD while advocating for decrim & legalization.

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

appropriately transferred responsibility to health providers, and not guards.
With opioid-related deaths increasing within prisons due to the toxic drug supply, more OPS across Canada are drastically needed, and to make harm reduction the standard within the prison system.

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

Completing interviews after the opening, inmates indicated the OPS made them feel safer and better supported.
Others interviewed said the OPS is more beneficial because it decreased stigmatization of people using drugs, increased officer and prisoner safety, and more

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effectively help us access the required services to re-enter society once released.
This project has been made possible with the support of Health Canada SUAP Division funding and the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

There is a lack of community-based services specific to criminal justice-involved populations and information about culturally safe and appropriate supports. Communities need an array of low-barrier services, including harm reduction and substance use treatment services, to...

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which led to employment and stability, and the reduction of risky behaviour at a pivotal time in their life.
CAPED will continue to advocate for more low-barrier models such as My-Safe to be available within the community and continue to push programs such as PALS to...

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

to reduce the harm felt by PWUDs within prisons.

This project has been made possible with the support of Health Canada SUAP Division funding' and the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

Harm reduction education, resources and supplies are desperately needed in Canadian prisons to support the human rights of prisoners and keep vulnerable populations safe. Hepatitis C and HIV are prevalent within the prison population, therefore, harm reduction such as needle...

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

exchange programs, as well as safe tattooing programs and other drug-related programs is essential to reducing these rates.
When interacting with the Justice System, CAPED will continue to educate and encourage the expansion of harm reduction programs within the prison system...

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

PWUDs on their/our journeys.

This project has been made possible with the support of Health Canada SUAP Division funding' and the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada"

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

Kootenay Insurrection of Safe Supply (KISS) is an organization based out west that aims to tackle the overdose crisis within rural and remote areas, similar to Cape Breton.
KISS aims to open a compassion club pilot, whilst evaluating the impacts of the project on local PWUDs...

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to achieve stability in our lives, as well as benefit to the wider community.
CAPED aims to become another safe space which will allow PWUD to access low-barrier peer-led safe supply, empower, and destigmatize whilst providing support and potential employment that will help...

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

This project has been made possible with the support of Health Canada SUAP Division funding' and the views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada"

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

Research has shown that Safe supply is paramount in rural areas like Cape Breton.
Greater access and support within rural areas is essential especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has increased opioid use. Improvements such as increasing the role of community health facilities;

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

accessing supports.
CAPED continues its work to provide a safe space for PWUD to receive support and a low-barrier model of safe supply.

[CAPED @CAPEDNS]

After a great response to the last newsletter, we would love to see more stories, experiences, and artwork being shared with the community in our upcoming newsletter.
If this is something that you would like to participate in, please direct message us with your content.