The Comox Valley Community Health Network (CVCHN) is partnering with the Community Drug Strategy Committee and the John Howard Society North Island to sponsor a presentation by Harold R. Johnson, author of Firewater - How Alcohol is Killing My People (and Yours).
Johnson is a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation Band (Saskatchewan), a former crown prosecutor with the Ministry of Justice and a talented speaker and storyteller. He will challenge us to “change the story we tell ourselves about alcohol.” He will share his insights about alcohol, including its history, myths surrounding it and its impacts on our communities.
The evening presentation on Wednesday, March 6 from 7-9 p.m., is open to the public and admission is free. The event takes place at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College (2300 Ryan Road, Courtenay) and will include a Q&A period. Doors open at 6:30 and seating is on a first come, first seated basis. Copies of Firewater will also be available for purchase at the event.
“Alcohol has become such a normal part of everyday life that we are not paying attention to its health risks, especially over the long-term,” said Dr. Charmaine Enns, Island Health medical health officer. “The toll that alcohol takes on people’s health and the health-care system needs to be challenged and we applaud Mr. Johnson’s ability to expose our societal blindness to it.”
“Mental health and wellness are community priorities of our network and we are pleased to be working with Dr. Charmaine Enns, the medical director of health and our partners to share knowledge and information about alcohol use in the Comox Valley,” said CVCHN facilitator Lindsay McGuinn, in a press release.
According to Canadian Institute on Substance Use research, the direct and indirect costs of alcohol to residents of B.C., including healthcare, lost productivity and criminal justice are at $1.94 billion per year (or $420 per person, regardless of age). This is three times more than what alcohol brings in as profits.
“Alcohol touches all of our lives, whether we drink or not,” said Johnson.
Check out the event page on Facebook for more information, or call Karen Rushton at drugstrategy@hotmail.com or 250-339-3603