Helping people with Drug abuse
Who We Are
Who we are:
BCYADWS is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting individuals who have been directly or indirectly affected by the war on drugs. Our members come from diverse backgrounds, including people who use drugs, those in recovery, and their loved ones, as well as allies who believe in drug policy reform and harm reduction.
What we do:
We work to create a world where drug policies prioritize public health, human rights, and social justice. Our activities include: Providing support and resources to those affected by the war on drugs Advocating for drug policy reform at local, regional, and national levels Raising awareness about the impacts of drug prohibition and criminalization on individuals and communities Offering programs and services aimed at harm reduction, education, and community engagement
Why we do it:
The war on drugs has had devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. By criminalizing drug use, we have marginalized and stigmatized those who need help the most. BCYADWS recognizes that a compassionate, evidence-based approach to drug policy is essential for promoting public health, reducing harm, and fostering social justice.
How we are doing it:
CYADWS uses a multifaceted approach to achieve our mission: Advocacy: We engage in policy discussions, lobbying, and grassroots activism to promote drug policy reform and harm reduction initiatives. Community support: We offer programs and services to meet the needs of our community members, including training, resources, peer engagement, and creative outlets. Partnerships: We collaborate with other organizations, experts, and stakeholders to amplify our impact and work towards common goals. Public education: We raise awareness about the harms of drug prohibition and the benefits of harm reduction through events, publications, and online platforms.
Mission:
Our mission is to empower and support individuals affected by the war on drugs, advocating for compassionate, evidence-based drug policies that prioritize public health, human rights, and social justice.
Vision:
We envision a world where drug policies are grounded in science, compassion, and justice, where individuals affected by drug use are treated with dignity and respect, and where communities are empowered to address the root causes of drug-related harm.
Goals:
Advocate for drug policy reform at all levels of government Provide support, resources, and community connections for those affected by the war on drugs Foster a more compassionate, informed public discourse on drug policy and harm reduction Build a strong, inclusive, and empowered community of drug war survivors and allies We serve a diverse group of individuals, including people who use drugs, those in recovery, family members and loved ones of people who use drugs, and allies who support drug policy reform and harm reduction. Our organization aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all, regardless of their background, experiences, or beliefs. We hope this information helps you better understand the essence of BCYADWS and guides you in creating a website that accurately represents our organization, values, and goals.
Board of Directors
President: Willow Giesinger. noharminthenorth@gmail.com
Vice President: Samona Marsh. samona.marsh@gmail.com
Secretary: Kim Meier. kimberleymeier2020@gmail.com
Tammy Forget. tammyforget1977@gmail.com
Treasurer: Megan Mchone. Megan_mchone@hotmail.com
Sargeant at arms: Troy Romanow. troyromanow1964@gmail.com
Fraser reps: doug smith. douglassmith@gmail.com
Keisha Wilson. key.inc1989@gmail.com
Coastal reps: samona marsh.
Van island reps: shane steinhauer steinhauershane88@gmail.com
Paige Phillips.
Interior rep: heather spence hspence2018@gmail.com
Northern reps: Megan mchone.
Willow Geisinger.
Indigenous reps: Shawn wood.
tammy forget.
Member at large: Troy Romanov, lyric parnam, lyric.coat@gmail.com
autumn bryant. Jerseyautumn0915@gmail.com
Mentee members: kim meier, Katt cadieux. Kattcadieux.pwle@gmail.com
Finance committee chair: Shawn wood woods8011@outlook.com
Personnel committee chair: willow giesinger
Grant writing committee chair: Kim meier/erica Thomson
Women’s committee: heather spence, Cheryl woods, hawkfeather, willow giesinger. Katt cadieux, paige Phillips, mel perry, erica Thomson. Facilitator of women’s committee: kari guelke. kguelke@gmail.com
Drug user groups across the province included in our networks:
- Nope: located in Quesnel BC. contact kim at: northernnetworkofpeers@gmail.com
- EKNPUD: east kootneys area, bc. Contact Patrick at: eknpud@gmail.com
- Redun: kootneys, bc. Contact amber at: struekens@gmail.com
- Snow: dawson creek, bc. Contact lyric at:
- Kandu: Kelowna, bc. Contact heather at: kanduoutreach2020@gmail.com
- Northern sun helpers: fort st john, bc. Contact troy at: troyromanow1964@gmail.com
- DULF: Vancouver, bc. Contact Jeremy at: jeremykalicum@gmail.com
- Pounds: Prince George, bc. Contact juls at: juls@thepoundsproject.com
- Vandu: eastside Vancouver, bc. Contact:
- Wild women of the north society: Quesnel, bc. Contact:
- Drug war survivors: abbotsford, bc. Contact: 1(778)201-8899 or info@drugwarsurvivors.com
- Nandu: Nanaimo, BC. Contact: 1(778)441-2452
- A.C.K: province wide. Contact kari at: kguelke@gmail.com or bcyadws@gmail.com