Families for Addiction Recovery

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, International Recovery Day and Recovery Day Toronto. Given the disproportionate number of Indigenous people dying and incarcerated from substance use, this is painful.

Each year, Recovery Day feels harder and more important.

Harder because our community has suffered so many losses. The drug poisoning crisis continues, not just unabated, but worsening. We have not seen the public health response that it deserves like the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the public health response to COVID-19 has come at the expense of our community.

Recovery Day is more important than ever because it is that much more remarkable when people and their families recover. It is hard work at any time, but especially now. And it is more important than ever for those who are still struggling and their families to hear stories of recovery from their peers to bring hope for a healthier tomorrow.

Join us Sept. 30th at 8 pm EST on a special Recovery Day Edition of the Hardknox Talks Podcast featuring persons and families in recovery. It will be streamed live on our Facebook Page.

May we all find our path to recovery,

Angie Hamilton

NEWS & UPDATES

Recovery Day is an annual event to help reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and raise awareness about increased wellness in our community.
This year as part of promoting awareness, Toronto's CN Tower will be lit purple
at sunset.

Join us Live for a Recovery Day edition of the Hard Knox Talks podcast, featuring people in recovery and family members this Thursday, Sept 30th, at 8:00pm. It will also be live-streamed on FAR's Facebook Page.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

You do not have to be in the Windsor area to register for this virtual Caring for the Caregiver Conference!

FAR's Executive Director is pleased to be co-presenting the session on Consent and the Mental Health Act. Many caregivers report experiencing challenges with being viewed as a partner in their loved one's care by mental health service providers, especially doctors. In this session, presenters will discuss the mental health system, including the Mental Health Act framework and community-based services, risk management considerations, privacy and consent, and strategies for being an advocate in the system.

Register Here

Toronto Public Health has initiated a process to request an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the possession of all drugs for personal use (also referred to as decriminalization). The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is administered at the federal level by Health Canada and regulates the possession, distribution and sale of illegal drugs in Canada.

If approved, a decriminalization request for the City of Toronto would mean an exemption from criminal penalties for the possession of drugs for personal use within the City of Toronto's boundaries.

This survey is being conducted to inform the Toronto Public Health exemption request to Health Canada. The request will include information about drug use in Toronto and a proposed alternative approach to criminal penalties.

You have until Sept. 27th to participate in the survey here

Health Law: A Primer for Family Caregivers in the Mental Health and Addictions Sector (Part 1)

Health Law - A Primer for Family Caregivers in the Mental Health and Addictions Sector (Part 2)

This is your chance to learn the principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) used by FAR volunteers! It is a seven session education group for parents and other supporters of young adults with substance use problems.

Register Here

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