Science World Spotlights: Misinformation and the Toxic Drug Crisis
2024, Health, Media + Information, Engage in Global Challenges, Make a Difference for B.C.
Since BC’s Provincial Health Officer declared a public health emergency on the toxic drug crisis in 2016, British Columbia continues to experience the highest number of overdose deaths among Canadian jurisdictions. The number of lives lost to this crisis has reached alarming levels, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Misinformation exacerbates this crisis as it perpetuates stigma, hinders access to life-saving resources, and undermines efforts to implement evidence-based interventions. And misinformation related to equity deserving people in the context of the toxic drug crisis can exacerbate disparities and hinder effective responses.
We teamed up with Science World Spotlights for a thought-provoking panel discussion on addressing misinformation surrounding the toxic drug crisis in B.C. The expert panelists delved into the latest research, scientific insights, and community-based learnings to address common misconceptions and foster informed dialogue.
Event attendees learned ways to contribute to informed dialogue and thoughtful action in addressing this crisis in our communities. The panel conversation included an audience Q&A and was followed by a networking reception with opportunities to connect with organizations tackling misinformation and providing support around the toxic drug crisis.
In-person
This event that took place at Science World.
Dr. Bohdan Nosyk is a Professor and St. Paul’s Hospital CANFAR Chair in HIV/AIDS Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, and leads the Health Economic Research Unit at the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes (formerly the Center for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences).
Dr. Nosyk’s research seeks to inform complex policy decisions surrounding the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders. He has led population-level evaluations in these disease areas in China, in the state of California and across urban centers in the US, and locally in British Columbia. He combines simulation modeling methods and cost-effectiveness analyses with econometric and biostatistical analyses of health administrative data to address these issues.
Dr. Nel Wieman, Chief Medical Officer, is the CMO at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in British Columbia, where she has worked since 2018. She is Anishinaabe (Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Manitoba) and lives, works and plays on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Dr. Wieman completed her medical degree and psychiatry specialty training at McMaster University. Canada's first female Indigenous psychiatrist, Dr. Wieman has more than 20 years' clinical experience, working with Indigenous people in both rural/reserve and urban settings. Her previous activities include co-directing an Indigenous health research program in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and the National Network for Indigenous Mental Health Research, being Deputy Chair of Health Canada's Research Ethics Board, and serving on CIHR's Governing Council. She has also worked and taught in many academic settings, has chaired national advisory groups within First Nations Inuit Health Branch - Health Canada, and has served as a Director on many boards, including the Indspire Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross. Dr. Wieman served as the President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) from 2016-2022. She was one of the 6 Indigenous physician founders of the National Consortium on Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME). She has been appointed to the BC Provincial Task Team charged with ensuring implementation of the recommendations arising from the “In Plain Sight" report.
Leslie McBain is the Chief Executive Officer of Moms Stop the Harm. After losing her only child, her beautiful son Jordan, to a prescription drug overdose in 2014, Leslie co-founded Moms Stop the Harm, now a national organization with several thousand members who have been impacted by drug harms. Her vision is to support and to save the lives of people who use drugs and to advocate for evidence based, humane drug policies. Leslie has worked with numerous federal and provincial committees to this end. She resides on Pender Island.
Chloe Goodison is the Founder & Executive Director of NaloxHome Society, and a fifth-year student at Simon Fraser University in the Faculty of Health Sciences, where she is completing her BSc. in Public Health & Data with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation through the SFU Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship. Chloe was listed on the 2024 BCBusiness 30 Under 30, and the 2024 Surrey Board of Trade Top 25 Under 25. In 2023, Chloe received Mazda Canada’s “Rising Legends” award. A proud resident of Port Moody, Chloe proudly coaches soccer with Port Moody Soccer Club and sits on the Port Moody Police Board. As well, Chloe is a Community Mentor with Employ to Empower and a volunteer Research Assistant at St. Pauls Hospital. In her spare time, Chloe can be found around lots of pink and lots of cats!
Stephen Quinn is host of CBC Radio One’s popular morning show The Early Edition, a post he has often been quoted as saying is his “dream job.” Every weekday, listeners wake up and tune-in for their daily dose of breaking news, traffic, local stories, entertainment, and interviews.
Previously, Quinn was the long-time host of afternoon radio show On The Coast, where he was known for featuring people from the community and covering the day’s local news. He also connected with listeners on social media during shows, allowing citizens to participate in conversations in real-time, adding another dimension to live radio. He spent eight-years as CBC’s civic affairs reporter. This position spearheaded his passion for municipal politics, as well as his unwavering interview style and skill in prompting answers from notable subjects while delving into important issues. Quinn has guest-hosted several CBC shows, news specials and a series on the media for network radio. He is also the creator and host of the very popular Quinn's Quiz on CBC Radio One.
This event was made possible by financial support provided by the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) and ScienceUpFirst