Indigenous harm reduction workers recognized by new Vancouver photo exhibit
CBC
Don Durban, a worker with Vancouver's Overdose Prevention Society (OPS), stands in front of a portrait of himself at the City Centre Motel and expresses surprise as he sees himself through someone else's lens.
"I didn't know I looked so good," Durban said as he viewed several portraits of himself, which show him working at the sites the society runs.
The portraits of Durban are part of an exhibition that highlights the Indigenous people who have been working to prevent deaths in the Downtown Eastside during the province's opioid epidemic.
The paid workers provide safe spaces for people to use illicit drugs and be monitored while they do so, to help prevent overdoses and to help users recover in the event of an overdose.
Durban said he barely recognized himself as he looked at the pictures and reflected on years of his own alcohol abuse.
"Alcohol is a good spot remover," he said. "It also removes lives, and jobs and a whole bunch of stuff. It stunted who I was."
He credits the OPS with saving his life and turning him onto a path of helping others.
"OPS is like a little family, caring and loving. And I needed that," he said.
It's been nearly six years since B.C. declared a public health emergency because of drug-related deaths.
Statistics released by the B.C. Coroners Service in February confirmed that 2,224 lives were lost in 2021, making it the deadliest year on record.
Sarah Blyth, the society's executive director, said the organization's success in supporting vulnerable people comes from workers like Durban.
"They've been on the frontlines for six years now," she said. "They're the most caring, compassionate people I've ever known. So it's really great to recognize them for the work that they do."
The portraits were taken by Rafal Gerszak, who is part of the First Nations leadership team with OPS.
Blyth said some of the people photographed have saved hundreds of lives in the past year alone.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.