Daniel Unmanageable
Daniel Unmanageable
Drug Data Decoded Author Euan Thomson talks to us about drug policy in Canada.
Drug Data Decoded Author Euan Thomson talks to us about drug policy in Canada.
Drug Data Decoded Author Euan Thomson talks to us about drug policy in Canada.
Tuesday 28th May 2024
Euan Thomson discusses Canada's drug policy, compassionate intervention strategies, and safer drug supplies. A candid look at complex issues.
Explicit
57 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Hopeful
Honest
Non-judgmental
About this podcast
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Daniel Unmanageable
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Sobriety Toolkit
Family Recovery from Addiction
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Creative Recovery Journeys
Empowering Recovery Journeys
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Get the buttons here!Decoding Drug Policy: Euan Thomson's Take on Canada's Approach
Episode Overview
- Making drugs illegal often renders them unsafe.
- The Portugal model offers a comprehensive approach to drug use.
- Forced treatment can increase the risk of overdose.
- Holistic discussions on housing and food security are crucial.
- Legalising and regulating drugs could eliminate gang violence.
It's not the legality that makes drugs safe or unsafe. In fact, making them illegal renders them unsafe in most cases
In this episode of Hard Knox Talks: Sober Stories. Real Talk., Euan Thomson, the author of the Drug Data Decoded newsletter, shares his unique perspective on drug policy in Canada. Euan delves into Alberta's compassionate intervention strategy, discusses the concept of safer drug supplies, and critiques the current homelessness crisis. He brings a fresh viewpoint, having been around drugs since a young age, and considers himself a drug user, both legal and illegal.
Euan argues that making drugs illegal often renders them unsafe, and he pushes back against top-down misinformation from government levels. Euan also touches on the Portugal model, explaining its comprehensive infrastructure for addressing drug use. He shares his thoughts on public drug use and the importance of offering a range of options before considering forced treatment. Euan criticises the concept of 'compassionate intervention', highlighting that it often puts people at higher risk of overdose due to forced abstinence.
The conversation also covers the challenges faced by people with significant mental health issues coupled with substance use disorders. Euan emphasises the need for holistic discussions about restoring rights to housing, food security, and safe drug supplies. He believes that until these issues are addressed, forcing people into treatment is a breach of human rights.
Euan's insights extend to the impact of bad policy over several decades, the potential benefits of a non-profit Compassion Club-based model, and the harmful effects of advertising in general. He argues for legalising and regulating drugs to eliminate drug-driven gang violence. If you're interested in understanding the complexities of drug policy and the human stories behind it, this episode is a must-listen.
Euan's candid reflections offer a valuable perspective on how to create healthier communities through informed debate and collective action.