Holding Hope for Families Affected by Substance Use

By Jo Boxwell

Overdose and drug poisoning data provided by BC Emergency Health Services states that paramedics responded to 173 overdose/poisoning calls in Salmon Arm in 2024. That is a 368% increase compared to 2016, when there were 37 overdose/poisoning calls. Unregulated drug toxicity was identified as the leading cause of death for people in British Columbia between the ages of 10 and 59 in a June 2024 BC Government Information Bulletin, accounting for “more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined.”

The far-reaching extent of BC’s Toxic Drug Crisis undermines the false narrative that substance use only affects certain groups in society. The drug crisis continues to impact individuals from all walks of life, whether they are unhoused or paying a mortgage, working full time, are unemployed or attending university. It is not only the substance users themselves who are impacted, but also their families and friends.

Kathleen Baleja moved to the Shuswap from Ontario a couple of years ago, and not long after she settled in, she founded a peer support group for family members and friends of people who use substances or are in recovery. Holding Hope Salmon Arm meets monthly and is part of a national network of Holding Hope groups organized by Moms Stop the Harm, a non-profit that advocates for drug policy reforms and provides support for affected families.

Kathleen previously joined a Holding Hope group in Ontario and found it to be a valuable resource. She said meeting others who have been through similar experiences can create a huge sense of relief. “It’s so reassuring, and there’s lots of scientific articles about why peer support is really, really important,” she added. Her hope is that people let go of stigma and judgement and recognize that “addiction is a health issue,” not a personal choice.

Kathleen has been personally affected by the Toxic Drug Crisis. She has a family member with schizophrenia who uses toxic drugs. This creates an immense amount of stress for Kathleen, especially because those compounding challenges put her loved one at risk of serious harm.

The resources provided by Moms Stop the Harm as well as Kathleen’s experience guide her approach to facilitating the peer support group. The focus of the meetings is on “listening and offering space,” but beyond that, she also uses the words “delight and wonder” to describe aspects of the meetings, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging small joys and successes to counterbalance the negative emotions that can easily build up and become overwhelming.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Holding Hope Salmon Arm group can email Kathleen at salmonarm@holdinghopecanada.org. The first step is to set up an introductory chat that will cover all the basics including the group’s policies and what to expect. After that, members of the group may drop in to meetings at any time.

Holding Hope is grateful to SASCU for providing a free space for the monthly meetings. Any other resources the group needs are provided by Moms Stop the Harm. When asked how the community can help, Kathleen’s request was a simple one: “Next time you pass somebody that’s living rough, remember that could be your kid, your family, your friend.” We all have the capacity to treat others with compassion instead of judgement.

To find out more about Holding Hope, visit holdinghopecanada.org