addictions

Trail City Hall

Council hears from public on temporary extension for Trail shelter

Trail residents packed council chambers to address request for temporary La Nina shelter extension

Trail City Hall
CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)

Police association president supports decriminalization but says it won’t curb crime in B.C.

CPA president says B.C. minister misrepresented police decriminalization stance

CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)
Photo: Hannah Busing/Unsplash

‘What does Trail CAT do, anyway?’

“Stigma is a major barrier to people seeking out help when they need it.”

  • Apr 3, 2022
Photo: Hannah Busing/Unsplash
(Jake Courtepatte/Capital News)

22 new adult substance-use beds, complex care housing coming to Okanagan

The province and Interior Health announced new treatment and recovery services for Kelowna

(Jake Courtepatte/Capital News)
Respect and Connect team L-R: Diana Daghofer, Trail CAT (Community Action Team); Marissa Carrasco, Selkirk College; Samantha Murphy, Trail and District Public Library; Jennie Barron, Mir Centre for Peace; and Nadine Tremblay, Trail and District Arts Council. Photo: Submitted

Trail CAT invites you to read, ‘Vince’s story; How stigma destroyed a father’

Ben Goerner is a retired clinical counsellor of 30 years.

  • Mar 3, 2022
Respect and Connect team L-R: Diana Daghofer, Trail CAT (Community Action Team); Marissa Carrasco, Selkirk College; Samantha Murphy, Trail and District Public Library; Jennie Barron, Mir Centre for Peace; and Nadine Tremblay, Trail and District Arts Council. Photo: Submitted
Recovering addict Mike Kappeler just released the first episode in his TV series called Recovery Life which focuses on the positive side of recovery in an addict’s or alcoholic’s life. He is seen here in downtown Chilliwack on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Former B.C. addict releases first ‘Recovery Life’ TV episode

TV series shares ‘amazing and uplifting stories’ of recovery, says Mike Kappeler

Recovering addict Mike Kappeler just released the first episode in his TV series called Recovery Life which focuses on the positive side of recovery in an addict’s or alcoholic’s life. He is seen here in downtown Chilliwack on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
The national Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser goes Feb. 26. The Respect and Connect team invites locals to take in a film screening of The Public on Saturday, tickets by donation, followed by a walk at 5 p.m. Photo: Trail Times

Fundraisers to support Trail shelter go Saturday

Film admission by donation followed by Coldest Night of the Year walk

The national Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser goes Feb. 26. The Respect and Connect team invites locals to take in a film screening of The Public on Saturday, tickets by donation, followed by a walk at 5 p.m. Photo: Trail Times
“Addiction and the Poisoned Drug Supply: What we need to know. How we can help,” runs on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The event is free, however registration is required. To join the conversation online or attend in person, register by visiting Selkirk.ca and click on “News and Events.” Scroll down to Feb. 15 on the calendar and click the Respect and Connect link. Photo: Jim Bailey

West Kootenay residents invited to join upcoming ‘Respect and Connect’ series

Register for Addiction and Poisoned Drug Supply Feb. 15 presentation at: Selkirk.ca

“Addiction and the Poisoned Drug Supply: What we need to know. How we can help,” runs on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The event is free, however registration is required. To join the conversation online or attend in person, register by visiting Selkirk.ca and click on “News and Events.” Scroll down to Feb. 15 on the calendar and click the Respect and Connect link. Photo: Jim Bailey
Call outs for paramedics attending drug overdoses doubled in Trail in 2021. (File photo)

Paramedic calls for drug overdose doubles in Greater Trail in 2021

“We have seen a dramatic increase in drug overdoses in the area,” said Trail Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.

Call outs for paramedics attending drug overdoses doubled in Trail in 2021. (File photo)
A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

B.C. pledges $1M for harm reduction to prevent overdose deaths among construction workers

Funding will expand Tailgate Toolkit program, which has already been operating on Vancouver Island

A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg
A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg
Respect Connect: A Better Community for Us All is an online educational series available to everyone in the community. There is no charge. Image: Submitted

Trail CAT encourages locals to take part in anti-stigma learning opportunity

Series addresses stigma surrounding issues such as homelessness, mental illness and substance use

  • Dec 27, 2021
Respect Connect: A Better Community for Us All is an online educational series available to everyone in the community. There is no charge. Image: Submitted
Reader is hoping for a lot of locals to participate in the free educational series via Zoom by Ryan Dowd. Photo: Unsplash

‘Respect and Connect’ will benefit the Greater Trail community

Letter to the Editor from RaNae Nicholls

  • Dec 7, 2021
Reader is hoping for a lot of locals to participate in the free educational series via Zoom by Ryan Dowd. Photo: Unsplash
This first Zoom session offers educational training that will focus on practical skills for preventing and de-escalating conflict. This presentation is for everyone in the community and there is no charge. Image: Submitted

Live in the West Kootenay? Consider joining virtual series addressing local homelessness issues

“A Community’s Guide to Homelessness,” will be presented via Zoom from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 10.

This first Zoom session offers educational training that will focus on practical skills for preventing and de-escalating conflict. This presentation is for everyone in the community and there is no charge. Image: Submitted
Overdose prevention and safe injection sites in B.C. are taking extra precautions like using enhanced cleaning measures and mobile sites to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Photo: Black Press Media file

More havoc being created in downtown Trail

Letter to the Editor from Concerned Citizens of Trail Group

  • Nov 18, 2021
Overdose prevention and safe injection sites in B.C. are taking extra precautions like using enhanced cleaning measures and mobile sites to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Photo: Black Press Media file
“A more informed population is needed, not more stigma and blame,” writes Marie Skinner. Photo: Hanna Morris/Unsplash

‘Not afraid at all,’ writes Trail leader about the city’s downtown

Letter to the Editor from Marie Skinner

  • Nov 16, 2021
“A more informed population is needed, not more stigma and blame,” writes Marie Skinner. Photo: Hanna Morris/Unsplash
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Habs goalie Carey Price says ‘substance use’ led him to NHL’s assistance program

‘Over the last few years I have let myself get to a very dark place and I didn’t have the tools to cope’

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
“We all need to consider our lives and how we managed to make our way through society to achieve order and success and how it is that others end up in chaos.” Photo: Dave Lowe/Unsplash

‘There but for fortune, may go you and I … ‘

“Short stays on acute psychiatric units with minimal follow up care are not sufficient,” says Crain.

“We all need to consider our lives and how we managed to make our way through society to achieve order and success and how it is that others end up in chaos.” Photo: Dave Lowe/Unsplash
Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)

Public shaming, hate perpetuates further substance use: UVic researcher

Longtime addict Nathan Watts offers a user’s perspective on substance use

Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)
“I am the grandmother of one of those homeless people … I have been trying to get him the help he needs. However, everywhere I call I get stonewalled,” write a West Kootenay grandmother. Photo: Rod Long/Unsplash

Letter from a heartbroken West Kootenay grandmother

” … it is not the government workers who will put this together – it will be the people.”

“I am the grandmother of one of those homeless people … I have been trying to get him the help he needs. However, everywhere I call I get stonewalled,” write a West Kootenay grandmother. Photo: Rod Long/Unsplash