VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
ICU doctor explores the links between the opioid and housing crises
ICU doctor explores the links between the opioid and housing crises
ICU doctor explores the links between the opioid and housing crises
Friday 15th December 2023
Dr. Kevin Patterson links the opioid crisis with housing shortages, calling for urgent action on social housing in this thought-provoking People First Radio episode.
19 minutes
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Sobriety Toolkit
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Get the buttons here!Dr. Kevin Patterson: Connecting the Dots Between Opioid Addiction and Housing Shortages
Episode Overview
- Economic privation and lack of social housing contribute to the vulnerability of those without shelter
- Dr. Kevin Patterson emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize building social housing
- Challenges prevalent narratives surrounding the opioid crisis, highlighting the impact on mental health, addiction, and recovery
- Calls for urgent societal action to address the pressing issues of the opioid and housing crises
- Urges society-wide commitment to tackle the intersecting challenges of addiction, homelessness, and mental health
These are human beings. And they're beautiful human beings who suffer and need help. And it's at our own peril that we don't help them. The moral injury of ignoring their despair is great.
Imagine a city where economic decline and social housing shortages create a perfect storm for addiction and homelessness. Dr. Kevin Patterson, an ICU doctor and writer, paints this vivid picture in a compelling episode of People First Radio. Drawing from his recent article in The Walrus, Dr. Patterson takes listeners back to a grittier Nanaimo, illustrating how economic hardships and lack of housing have exacerbated the opioid crisis.
He doesn't just recount the past; he connects it to the present-day struggles faced by many. Dr. Patterson’s insights reveal the dire consequences of neglecting social housing and economic support, highlighting how these issues are deeply intertwined with mental health and addiction recovery. This episode is a wake-up call, urging us to prioritize social housing and address the root causes of these crises.
If you're looking for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges common perceptions and advocates for real change, this conversation with Dr. Kevin Patterson is a must-listen.