Tradesmen get raw and real about the toxic drug supply crisis
in new podcast series now streaming on major podcast platforms
Men who work in British Columbia’s construction industry and supporting trades are
dying at disproportionate rates compared to other sectors from unregulated drugs
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VANCOUVER, BC (Sept. 8, 2023): 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.
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, over 12,000 British Columbians’ lives have been lost to unregulated drugs since the public health emergency was first declared in 2016. 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 (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 (Archived B.C. COVID-19 Data (bccdc.ca).
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 trades 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.”
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 staff and contractors.
Season One is now available on major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and YouTube. Episodes include “Daniel’s Story,” “Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades,” “Using Safely…or Safer,” and “Trevor’s Story.” Season Two will be released in the Fall of 2023 followed by Seasons Three and Four in 2024. For more information, visit tradespodcast.com.
About Fraser House
Society:
Fraser House Society, a non-profit, charitable organization based in the community of Mission, BC, has offered substance use services in the Fraser Valley Regional District for over 50 years. We seek to promote a healthy community by supporting, developing and implementing effective prevention and counselling strategies when it comes to substance use, misuse, and addiction. Our programs strive to meet each person where they are, not imposing a particular model or method of treatment or recovery. Bio-psycho-social-spiritual and harm reduction approaches are utilized. Learn more at Fraser House Society.
About SUAP:
Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) provides grants and contributions funding to respond to drug and substance use issues. This funding is provided to other levels of government, community-led and not-for-profit organizations in Canada. SUAP provides funding for a wide range of innovative and evidence-informed projects addressing problematic substance use prevention, harm reduction and treatment initiatives across the country. Projects target a range of psychoactive substances, including opioids, stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, nicotine and tobacco, at the community, regional and national levels. For more information, visit SUAP at Canada.ca.
Media contact:
Delanne Reid Young
Project Coordinator
Off The Clock Toolbox Talk
Fraser House Society
Email: tradespodcast@gmail.com
Phone: 604-861-8220