“Nothing About Us Without Us”
The Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD) is a national organization that is comprised entirely of people who use(d) drugs, including our board and staff. One of our main purposes is to empower people who currently use drugs deemed illegal to survive and thrive, with their human rights respected and their voices heard. We envision a world where drugs are regulated and the people who use them are not criminalized. We are survivors of this war and we’ll continue to fight for policy reform that is based in evidence, understanding and compassion.
We didn’t start the war, but we will end it!
CAPUD is raising the voice of people who use(d) drugs throughout the policy making process at every level of government.
We strive to reduce oppressive societal conditions that people who use drugs face and emphasize the need for their direct involvement in public policy decision making. We focus on the strengths, talents, and merits of our membership as we build a better future for people who use drugs.
How to Spot Someone So They Never Have To Use Alone
This is the launch of an educational animation about spotting - an overdose prevention method done by phone or video call. This new resource from CAPUD is available in both official languages and provides a step by step guide about spotting. Also, check out the Comic Book Graphic of our spotting videos below!
© 2021 CAPUD. All rights reserved.
English Spotting Comic Book
French Spotting Comic Book
What is CAPUD doing?
In response to the ongoing overdose epidemic that has killed tens of thousands of Canadians. The Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD) is suing the government of Canada to remove the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) penalties (decriminalize) all forms of drug possession and some forms of drug trafficking, in response to the ongoing overdose epidemic in Canada. These criminal penalties create harms for persons who use drugs (PWUD) and prevent PWUD from accessing medical treatment and harm reduction.
A group of drug users and drug policy reform advocates are suing the Canadian government because they say the continued prohibition of drugs is unconstitutional.
The Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, a non-profit organization, filed a statement of claim Tuesday in B.C. Supreme Court against the Attorney General of Canada arguing that the government is responsible for overdose deaths because it is forcing drug users to buy from a toxic drug supply.
To continue reading check out the article on VICE by clicking on the button.
Hear Us, See Us, Respect Us: Respecting the Expertise of People who Use Drugs
This report is a summary of key findings of a national community-based research project to identify existing and emerging best practices in respecting the expertise of people who use(d) drugs (PWUD). It is our hope that by identifying best practices in equitable, meaningful, and respectful, engagement of PWUD, we will provide PWUD a solid evidence base from which to advocate for better inclusion in programs, policies, protocols, and initiatives. This document will also provide a framework for organizations to reflect on policies, practices, and structures and adapt to what is heard by the knowledge, perspectives, and expertise that PWUD share in this document. Ultimately, CAPUD seeks to uphold PWUD human rights at all costs to ensure equitable and just opportunities within program and policy domains that affect their lives.
PREFERRED CITATION:
Touesnard, Natasha, Patten, San, McCrindle, Jenn, Nurse, MIchael, Vanderschaeghe, Shay, Noel, Wyatt, Edward, Joshua, & Blanchet- Gagnon, Marie-Anik. (2021). Hear Us, See Us, Respect Us: Respecting the Expertise of People who Use Drugs (3.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5514066
It is time for us all to embrace person-centred language for people in prison and people who were formerly in prison
Abstract: The use of person-centred language is well accepted regarding substance use and infectious disease healthcare and research, and appropriate acronyms have become commonplace, e.g., “people who inject drugs (PWID)” has mostly replaced phrases like “injecting drugs users”. However, the use of the term’s ‘prisoner’ or ‘prisoners’ remains common. Although less common, terms such as ‘offenders’ and ‘inmates’ are also still used on occasion. This persists despite calls from people with lived experience of incarceration, and fellow academics, to stop using these terms. Given the considerable overlap between substance use, infectious diseases, and incarceration, in this commentary we discuss how they interact, including the stigma that is common to each. We propose that using person-centred language (i.e., people in prison or people formerly in prison) needs to become the default language used when presenting research related to people in prison or people formerly in prison.
PREFERRED CITATION:
Harney, Brendan L., et al. "It is time for us all to embrace person-centred language for people in prison and people who were formerly in prison." International Journal of Drug Policy99 (2022): 103455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103455
CAPUD supports defunding the police and re-allocating funds to the community to ensure a community-driven response instead of a policing response.
Let’s reimagine a system that resembles our needs, that does not tolerate racism, perpetuate harm or death.
Harm reduction is backed by evidence, but many harm reduction workers still face challenges in setting up and running a SCS. They must apply to the federal government for an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which is a long and difficult process. Overdose pre- vention sites (OPS) are another type of space where people can safely use drugs. To legally operate, OPS can apply for short-term exemptions from their regional government. These are generally granted quickly in response to urgent community needs.
Resources
COVID-19 resources for people who use drugs
20 Canadians a day on average have died from opioid and fentanyl overdoses between 2016 and 2021
Source: Canadian government
Land Acknowledgment
We would like to acknowledge that the land we work, live and play on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Indigenous People of Turtle Island. While acknowledging territory is very welcome, it is only a small part of cultivating strong relationships with the Indigenous Peoples. Acknowledging territory should take place within the larger context of genuine and authentic working relationships as we work to forge real understanding and challenge ongoing colonialism and oppression. We must strive to meaningfully collaborate and respect all of the Indigenous Peoples.
Membership
Become a CAPUD Member
Are you someone who currently or formerly uses drugs? If so, and you want to get involved in advocacy, policy, and creating effective change, join our membership.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities!