Forging health in the
unregulated drug crisis
through real f**king talk.
Off The Clock Toolbox Talk (OTCTBT) is a new podcast series co-produced by tradesmen for tradesmen who get raw and real about the toxic drug supply crisis. Men who work in British Columbia’s construction industry and supporting trades are dying at disproportionate rates compared to other sectors from unregulated drugs.
ABOUT
The two-year project, which will include up to 40 episodes over four seasons, is being produced by Mission-based Fraser House Society with a financial contribution from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP). “This funding will enable us to create podcasts for men in the trades that will provide tools and information on pain, trauma and substance use while enhancing awareness, decreasing stigma and encouraging shared lived experiences,” explains Cynthia Coyle, executive director of Fraser House Society which has been providing counselling and support services in the Fraser Valley for over 50 years.
According to the BC Coroners Service, at least 14,024 British Columbians’ lives have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in 2016.
Please see the 2024 Unregulated Drug Deaths Summary HERE.
Please see the Coroners Service's Feb 29, 2024 Release HERE.
The death review panel report released in 2022 revealed that 70% of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and 79% were male. In addition, 35% of those who died were employed at the time of their death, and over half of those employed worked in the trades, transport or as equipment operators. Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in British Columbia accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined as reported in the 2022 Death Review Panel Report (gov.bc.ca), and 1,656 more deaths than COVID-19 related deaths that were reported to the B.C. Centre of Disease Control between 2020 and 2022.
Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in British Columbia accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.
- BC Coroners Service
The concept of the podcast was created by health promotion specialist Karen Janzen who has worked with vulnerable youth in the mental health substance use field for multiple decades. “Fifteen years ago, I saw how a lack of psycho-social resources fueled the misery of tradesmen in my life,” says Janzen who also co-hosts OTCTBT series. “In 2023, unregulated drugs are often accessed as the most efficient route for many men in the construction industry to put a band-aid on bio-psycho-social pain so they can continue to meet the harsh demands of their work. In the absence of a safe drug supply, and with the ease and privacy of podcasts, we hope to support men in the trades to build realistic pathways to wellness.”
Joining Janzen behind the co-hosting mic is drug policy advocate and part-time painter Daniel Snyder whose experience with 15 years of heroin addiction is woven throughout the season. “I believe no one struggling with addiction is beyond helping and that as long as we can inspire hope there is an opportunity for a bright future,” says Snyder. “I’m passionate about sharing my story, helping individuals, advocating for changes in drug policy, and assisting in the progress and process of reducing the stigma around substance use.”
“I’m passionate about sharing my story, helping individuals, advocating for changes in drug policy, and assisting in the progress and process of reducing the stigma around substance use.”
-- Daniel Snyder, OTCTBT Co-Host
In Season Two, an additional co-host has joined OTCTBT. Sharing duties with Snyder is Trevor Botkin, Community Development Manager for the Umbrella Society on Vancouver Island. After working for over 25 years in the construction industry as a Journey Carpenter/Superintendent, Trevor pivoted his career into the non-profit sector in 2018. This shift was, in part, a desperate attempt to change his life, to arrest the spiralling substance misuse challenges that he had suffered for years. As no amount of external change could resolve what was inevitably internal turmoil, Trevor was admitted into a residential treatment centre in 2019 where he would begin to peel back the layers of his addiction and to get the help he needed to stand up again. Trevor is excited to share his lived experience of addiction (and recovery) on the podcast.
The OTCTBT team also includes men with living and lived experience who are instrumental in decisions related to the podcast such as the look and feel, episode feedback, topic ideas, featured guests and marketing strategies. In addition, there is a growing list of official partners and supporters that offer input such as Moms Stop the Harm, Mission Overdose Community Action Team (MOCAT) and The Tailgate Toolkit Project. There are numerous opportunities for companies and unions to support the series such as sponsoring on-site toolbox talk lunches to promote the podcast to employees and contractors.
Season One and Two are now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and at TradesPodcast.com. Episodes include “Daniel’s Story,” “Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades,” “Using Safely…or Safer,” “Deconstructing Your Inner Asshole,” and “Trevor’s Story.” For episode links and summaries, visit TradesPodcast.com and stay tuned for Seasons Three and Four later in 2024.
We value the feedback of our listeners who have been affected by unregulated drug supply crisis. Please consider completing our listener survey for a chance to win a $200 grocery gift card.
https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_2hs1SfRcJBvBYRo
Please contact us to learn about partnership opportunities or to share your comments, ideas and suggestions. Email Delanne Reid Young, OTCTBT project coordinator, at tradespodcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for supporting Off The Clock Toolbox Talk!