Walking her dog Rascal in the beautiful woods on Pender Island is Leslie’s way of keeping physically distant from people and close to nature..

Our Co-Founder Leslie McBain wishes loves, strength and compassion to all.

Hello to our members, supporters and friends,

Take heart! This health crisis will end. Perhaps not today or next week or next month. But it will end.

We also all know that this is not the only crisis. The overdose crisis is unabating and while this one is going on we can’t forget that people who use drugs still need harm reduction services and access to safer supply more than ever.

We who have had our lives impacted by drug use, whether we have lost a loved one, have a loved one struggling with drug use, or we may struggle with drug use ourselves, if we are healthcare workers or volunteering in harm reduction capacities, we have extra challenges to stay in balance during this difficult time.

Social media is afloat with information on how to stay healthy and calm. Physical distancing (2 meters or 6 feet) self-isolating, frequent 20 second hand washing, deep breathing, and eating healthy are all essential strategies.

But what about our hearts? How do we sooth our grief, our anxiety and our need for connection? How do we protect our loved ones?

This is really a time for connection with ourselves, and with our faith and spirituality (however you may define this). We need to maintain connection with our families and our friends on social media, on Skype or Facetime, we can connect with nature by going for walks (2 meters or 6 feet from everyone!). Or join and participate in our FB closed pages (Join if you are not a member) and connect with one another. Reach out.

We want you all to know that all of us Moms Stop the Harm members are in the same boat. We care about one another, we are here for each other. And because we may be vulnerable, remember that we are stronger together.

As the shock of this crisis settles in our minds and our lives, we must pull out all the self-care stops! We must cradle our hearts. And we must remember this crisis is not forever.

Much love, compassion and strength to all.

Leslie McBain, from self-isolation on Pender Island, BC

Resources to help you and your loved ones cope during COVID-19

Canadian Drug Policy Coalition: As two public health crises collide, we are gathering insight and guidance on best practises for people who use drugs and health care providers.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada.

CMHC - COVID-19 and Mental Health: A pandemic is a very stressful event for individuals and communities. CMHA has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty.

Government of Canada: Up to date information and resources on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

How Can You Help in your Community

Several nonprofit organizations could use your time and money to make sure vulnerable populations are cared for during this pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has now touched nearly every Province of Canada. As a result, the outbreak of this virus has impacted our communities on every level. Closures of public facilities such as: businesses, restaurants, recreational facilities, libraries, and outdoor public areas have closed down. While the majority of Canadians have a safe haven for physical distancing, many of our vulnerable and homeless citizens are particularly at risk.

Local and national nonprofits are struggling to address the needs of our vulnerable citizens during this Pandemic. They have reduced staffing and volunteers as a consequence of Public Health restrictions and this has impacted their ability to keep up with the needs of those they provide services for. Drop in programs for our homeless population have ceased and there are many program closures that enable vulnerable citizens the use of their facilities. The majority have moved to essential services only, such as take out food and shelter.

“Chris Hatch of Food Banks Canada said he has "several worries" about how COVID-19 will affect them. "We've got over 5,000 food banks across Canada and what we're seeing is a dramatic drop in volunteers right now," he said. Most of the food banks are volunteer-driven and many volunteers are seniors, who are staying home because they are a vulnerable group, he explained. "We have a real challenge in terms of staffing and running our food bank operations across the country," Hatch added. He also fears that the food supply will not be replenished fast enough. "The food banks currently have about a 10 to 14 day supply and we're just not seeing food donations coming in as fast as we need them to come in to replenish our supply," Hatch said.” (Hina Alam, The Canadian Press).

Here are some suggestions of how you can help in your community:

Contact local and provincial governments to demand solutions for people who are homeless. You can’t physically distance if you to not have a home or live in crowded space with share washrooms. Here is an example of an effective response in the City of Edmonton by Homeward Trust and partner agencies, the city and Alberta Health Services.
Now more than ever is the time to call for #SaferSupply, as outlined in this article by Tanner in MacLeans Canada “A safe supply for drug users may be the only way to head off an even greater coronavirus tragedy”. Just as we were preparing this message to you, we learned that safe supply will be made available to PWUD in the DTES of Vancouver. Local advocates and experts worked on guidelines for the distribution of safe supply call “RISK MITIGATION IN THE CONTEXT OF DUAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES”. A summary of the guidelines is available from Vancouver Coastal Health.
Purchase gift cards from local stores which could be donated to a local food bank or shelter (you are also helping retailers keep paid staff in place)
Contact your local food bank and provide donations of food or funds
Homeless populations may see a reduction in shelter spaces due to church closures. Items such as tents, sleeping bags and tarps can be donated to your local shelters (check first as some do not accept items at the moment).
Support your local essential service workers. Contact their agency and ask how you can help out. Keep essential workers safe by following all public health recommendations on stopping the spread of the virus, most of all by staying home is you have one.
If you find a source of hand sanitizer or other needed resources (or if you have supplies stored that you do not need), offer to drop some off at the local shelter.
If you can afford to donate financially, now is the time to give to local harm reduction organization, shelters and other groups that serve people who uses drugs or are otherwise marginalized.
Do you have more suggestions for your community? Be sure to post your ideas on our MSTH private members facebook group page.

Access to Safer Supply is more important now than ever before

Now more than ever is the time to call for #SaferSupply, as outlined in this article by Tanner in MacLeans Canada “A safe supply for drug users may be the only way to head off an even greater coronavirus tragedy”.

Just as we were preparing this message to you, we learned that safe supply will be made available to PWUD in the DTES of Vancouver.

Local advocates and experts worked on guidelines for the distribution of safe supply call “RISK MITIGATION IN THE CONTEXT OF DUAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES”.

A summary of the guidelines is available from Vancouver Coastal Health in provided in the infographic here, created by the BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors.