Plenary Session
Decolonizing Substance Use

This presentation explores the link between colonialism and Indigenous health and social inequities with a focus on the toxic drug crisis and its impact on Indigenous communities today. Attendees will learn the origins of prohibition in Canada, strategies to address stigma associated with substance use, examine culturally safer language and Indigenous perspectives on harm reduction.

Key items attendees will learn about:

• The link between substance use harm and prohibition policies in Canada
• The root causes of addiction and substance use among Indigenous peoples
• Indigenous perspectives on harm reduction, de-stigmatization and compassionate responses to the toxic drug crisis
   

(Simultaneous interpretation available)