Walk Not Talk

The following quotation is from Robert, an individual who knows first hand what it is like to be addicted to drugs. As you read his words, ask yourself the following question.  “What can we do, individually and collectively, to provide assistance to Robert and others?  Now is not the time to ignore the current addiction crisis or pretend it does not exist. We have to do something, but what?”

“I’m tired of doing this…I don’t know what’s keeping me going. My family is like, Robert, what are you doing? My cousins are like, Robert, you’re a loser. I’ve heard it all, and they’re right. What have I done? I haven’t done s—. You try to regroup, you hear your grandson’s voice …”

“We need a little more compassion, a little more sensitivity, and not so much judging. I’m not going to be a poster boy, but walk a mile in my shoes, man.” (Toronto Star)

One thought on “Walk Not Talk

  1. I sincerely appreciate Robert having the courage to share the quotation he has. And I appreciate you – admin/Tracy – for also having the courage to share this and ask such an important and insightful question. As I think about this topic, many things ‘percolate to the surface’ for me – how the challenges of addiction have impacted my family (and many other families that I talk with about their addicted loved ones); my trip last week to & from Vancouver during which I heard on the radio about Vancouver’s 130+ overdoses, LAST WEDNESDAY (ON 1 DAY!!), a record, most due to fentanyl; the Distress Centre crisis calls I have taken which often include the distress of addicts or their friends or family members about what can be done to help; the recent video shared on the Patients4Change Facebook page about the huge fentanyl issues at a local reservation; etc etc. Plus, the comments I hear from friends and family members which (to me) clearly show there is a lack of awareness and understanding of this addiction epidemic. Perhaps many different organizations are already doing some great things? Two things that may help: (1) encourage more public awareness sessions about this epidemic to help increase awareness and understanding & (2) reach out to the AHS Addictions & Mental Health SCN to understand what is already being done. Thoughts? Comments?

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