Chiefs of Ontario Health Forum Toronto, Ontario Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s Cannabis and Harm Reduction THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Cannabis and Harm Reduction THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Dialogue Cannabis and Hemp PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Harm Reduction Revitalization Harm Reduction was first introduced in the 1980’s • Began in places like Montreal and Vancouver • Peer driven and informal needle exchange • THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Harm Reduction Revitalization and Decline Federal support from the Department of Health • continued until the mid 2000’s • Harm reduction seen as vital to a comprehensive drug policy • This policy included attempts to decriminalize cannabis possession • This drug policy changed in 2007 with the transfer to the DOJ • THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Cannabis Regional Dialogue Sessions Increasing dialogue opportunities about Cannabis for First Nations communities resulting WHY from the Canadian Government announcement of planned legalization of recreational cannabis by 2018. Funding for this project comes from the Cannabis Legalization and HOW Regulation Secretariat of Health Canada WHO Ten regions participated across Canada THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Background Dis iscuss Evid idence Applied With ithin an n Ind ndig igenous Con onte text It is important to ground evidence and information about cannabis and the national priorities for legalization within the context of First Nations community, and social determinants of health. Understanding the history and current context of the community will help when starting dialogue about the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use. These conversations are especially important around pain management, mental health, addictions, youth, and pregnant women and community planning. The FNMWC represents a culturally-grounded approach to support strengthened community, regional, and national responses specific to substance use issues, recognizing that collaboration amongst these partners is necessary to address social determinants of health and is intended to guide the delivery, design, and coordination of services at all levels. THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC) framework THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Dialogue Cannabis and Hemp PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
FNMWC Mental Wellness Themes Culture as Foundation Participant Community Development, feedback has Ownership, and Capacity Building been categorized into the Quality Care System and FNMWC Competent Service Delivery themes to support future cannabis Collaboration with Partners related programs and services Enhanced Flexible Funding THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Harm Reduction • People who use will continue to use and if their only Rejecting access is the illicit market then they will continue to use regulated with risk to their safety due to mold, pesticides, and recreational marijuana that may be laced with other drugs cannabis does not reduce • The right to health as stated in UNDRIP means that harms to everyone has the right to health, treatment and prevention related to drugs individuals or the community • We increase harms through criminalization of people who use cannabis for personal use, such as to cope and survive THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Reduce impacts of criminalization: Community By-laws banning cannabis will be no more effective than the bylaws banning alcohol THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Research Methodology THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Dialogue Cannabis and Hemp PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Engagement Process Confirmatio n of Participatio Webinar & n Cannabis Survey Focus Group Dialogue Follow-up Sessions Report for validation Follow- up Webinar, for further validation THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Ten regional focus groups across Canada THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Focus Group Discussion Topics 1) Holding effective community conversations about cannabis 2) Defining and identifying community needs in addressing the community impacts of cannabis legalization 3) Mental health, wellness and cannabis 4) Youth and impacts of cannabis legalization THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Harm Reduction Regional Feedback THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Dialogue Cannabis and Hemp PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Regional Feedback: Harm Reduction Regional feedback Ban Cannabis Education regarding cannabis Some participants Some participants and harm reduction explained that some expressed a need for community members are education regarding the fell into two seeking to ban cannabis benefits and impacts of categories; cannabis as well as cannabis driven harm reduction approaches THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Culture as Foundation Ensure culture is the foundation for community activities and services surrounding cannabis such as educational workshops and treatment programs Ensure Elders and/or language speakers are present to facilitate dialogue on the impacts of cannabis legalization Promote safe environments inclusive and respectful of all community members beliefs and values Survey results also support the importance of using culture as a foundation as participants indicated that First Nations culture-based practices are important in supporting youth cannabis education. THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Community Development, Ownership, and Capacity Building Develop community-based policies and initiatives to reduce the impacts of cannabis legalization on community wellness Develop community-based human resource policies, particularly regarding cannabis use and the workplace Include all community members are included in cannabis related dialogue and decision-making Encourage participation in community dialogue and activities by extending personalized invitations through home visits Provide anonymous methods of communication to facilitate community feedback (example: comment boxes) Increase community access to physical safe spaces such as an existing gathering place and extend hours of wellness-based programs and services Survey results also suggest that a number of community supports are important in promoting non-use. For example, when asked what influences youth’s decision not to use cannabis, participants indicated a number of factors relating to community development including; community and family activities, community wellness programs/initiatives, land-based activities and recreation and sport activities. THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
Quality Care System and Competent Service Delivery Conduct culturally-centred educational workshops on cannabis legislation and health impacts for communities and specific population groups such as youth, Elders, frontline workers and pregnant women Develop accessible educational material related to cannabis (brochures, flyers, social media, etc.) Utilize social media to further engage youth and provide accurate cannabis information Promote awareness and education to reduce stigma surrounding mental wellness and wellness care Provide support for individuals with mental wellness challenges through home visits Survey respondents echoed the importance of providing assessible educational material as they indicated they would like to access cannabis-related resources through community conversations, print material, electronic material, and First Nations culture-based practices. THUNDERBIRD National Indigenous Cannabis Cannabis and Hemp Dialogue PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION Sessions Conference
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