A B.C. man who was struggling with opioid use and jailed for bank robbery is seeking to debunk drug addiction stigma and says people struggling with it need not be afraid.
Christopher Lamoureux is about to begin studying to become a peer support worker at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. Lamoureux said heB次元官网网址檚 previously used illicit drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl and wasnB次元官网网址檛 thinking clearly when he robbed a pair of banks, a Tim Hortons shop, and was involved in a police chase near Victoria in September 2019.
He hopes his can be a cautionary tale.
B次元官网网址淢y frame of mind was out of being afraid, being alone, literally terrified,B次元官网网址� Lamoureux said when recounting the events. B次元官网网址淓ven when I think about the nature of my recovery program, I guess, scared, devious B次元官网网址� It was like wanting to run, wanting to hide, not wanting to come forward, not wanting to see. Having graduated from BCIT, working for the federal government, doing all of these things to try and better my life and there I was, in the worst state IB次元官网网址檝e ever been.B次元官网网址�
It was recently National Addictions Awareness Week and according to Lamoureux, there is stigma surrounding addiction, something he experienced shortly after being arrested. He was taken to the hospital, handcuffed, witnessing people staring at him thinking he was, B次元官网网址渢his criminal that just wasnB次元官网网址檛 worthy of a life.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭hey had no idea that I was employed with federal governments, I was employed by the community coast guard, I just hit a bump in my recovery B次元官网网址� addiction is running rampant in our society today and addiction affects all walks of life,B次元官网网址� said Lamoureux. B次元官网网址淕oing through the whole process of being admitted into [the psychiatric emergency ward], and being known as someone who struggles with substance misuse, youB次元官网网址檙e just looked at differently.
B次元官网网址淪ometimes the level of care that you get, itB次元官网网址檚 not equal to the care that you would get if you were not somebody who struggled with substance misuse.B次元官网网址�
When asked about breaking drug stigma, Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said the provincial government seeks decriminalization of people who use drugs. In addition, it has teamed with a number of organizations to help educate people.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had some really strong partners, sports organizations,B次元官网网址� said Malcolmson. B次元官网网址淭he Vancouver Canucks, B.C. Lions, who have partnered B次元官网网址� recognizing that 70 per cent of toxic drug overdose victims are men and also the construction industry associations and organized labour have been particularly good partners with our government around social media campaigns and anti-stigma campaigns.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got a really well-received TV commercial spot running right now, pointing out the discrimination that families and people suffering from addictions receive, relative to people that are facing other medical challenges.B次元官网网址�
Recovering substance users can relapse and according to Lamoureux, it is important that he stays focused and take B次元官网网址渋t one day at a time.B次元官网网址� Among his work, engagement with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, community outreach with the aboriginal friendship centre in Nanaimo and work with the Patient Voices NetworkB次元官网网址檚 oversight and advisory committee.
B次元官网网址淭he reality is that I am an addict B次元官网网址� what I do when temptations come up now is I talk about them,B次元官网网址� said Lamoureux. B次元官网网址淎nd if I donB次元官网网址檛 talk about them, I know that theyB次元官网网址檒l itB次元官网网址檒l result in a relapse. I attend meetings, I do stuff where I surround myself with supportive people who are in recovery. And I have to accept that thereB次元官网网址檚 a certain path that I will need to walk for the rest of my life.B次元官网网址�
Lamoureux says people in the throes of addiction need to have the courage to come forward.
B次元官网网址淥nly in that place of surrender, are we truly able to heal,B次元官网网址� said Lamoureux. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of folks who are experiencing it, who are in the shadows [where] the alternative is jails, institutions and death. We have to be able to rally together. ItB次元官网网址檚 not a disease that we can battle alone, so my biggest piece of advice is reach out. ThereB次元官网网址檚 resources available and people who can help you along your path.B次元官网网址�
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