Written by Vivian Gietz

Founded in 2018, the Burnaby Community Action Team (BCAT) raises awareness on drug overdose in the community and works to provide resources to those at risk of overdose. In recent years the overdose death numbers in BC have reached record heights, with 2021 only continuing this unfortunate trend. This year, Burnaby recorded 34 overdose deaths by end of June 2021, a significant number compared to last year’s 58 deaths for the entire year.

Dilpreet Thiara, Chair of the BCAT, joined the team in late 2020. She is passionate about providing access to overdose prevention resources such as safe injection sites and serving her community. Currently, there are no safe injection sites in Burnaby. Dilpreet sees this as an urgent need. Addiction treatment homes are also a limited resource; Charlford House Society for Women is the only women’s treatment centre in Burnaby. Although resources exist in communities nearby such as Vancouver, it is imperative that tangible resources become available to those struggling directly in Burnaby.

Dilpreet encourages the people of Burnaby to approach those struggling with compassion and refrain from judgement. People at risk of overdose can be from any job, home, or background and may be too ashamed to reach out before it’s too late. “We don’t know what other people are going through,” she says. Speaking up against overdose helps reduce stigma and create conversation, encouraging people to reach out.

The COVID-19 pandemic took priority use of many resources Burnaby would have been able to put towards overdose prevention, such as clinics, nurses, and outreach funding. In addition, hours of operation were reduced for many services and clinics. These factors combined with the isolation of the pandemic help explain the increase in overdose deaths in the past year.

However, BCAT does what they can to bring hope while acknowledging the lives lost to overdose. Join BCAT for an outdoor event on Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at Burnaby Civic Square. This event will feature speakers from the recovery community and with lived experience of overdose and naloxone training from Fraser Health representatives to help empower people against overdose. Together, we can reduce stigma and fight to decrease overdose deaths in Burnaby.

Written by Vivian Gietz

As it has for many others, COVID-19 presented new challenges for the staff, Board, and women of Charlford House Society for Women. In the past couple of weeks, the health guidelines have become stricter each day. Visitors are no longer allowed, which limits our volunteer numbers and means our alumnae can no longer come home as they used to. Some staff had to start working from home, including myself, the Administrative Assistant. We had to reconsider how to handle intakes and discharges, and our upcoming fundraising events were cancelled.

Until recently, I had been optimistic and enjoying the sunny weather, ready to embrace the energy of the spring. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I suddenly did not feel hopeful or prepared to take on the new season. I felt anxious, depressed, and terrified, not just for myself but for the negative financial and mental health effects this could have on my friends and family. I especially worried for the friends I made through Charlford House, wondering if the intense isolation, including the closure of NA and AA resource centres, could cause those newer to recovery to relapse.

However, I soon started seeing video chat recovery meetings popping up. I was surprised when my friends started sending me invitations to them, even though I’m not an addict. When I joined one, I was overwhelmed by the number of smiling familiar faces on my phone screen, all happy to have me there as an “honourary Peach”. I realized not only are my friends in recovery still surrounded by support in this time of uncertainty, but so am I by those same women. In my time working here, they’ve fully welcomed me as one of their own, and they weren’t about to let me go through this alone.

A resounding reminder of “Just for today”, a common addictions recovery mantra, echoed throughout the video call. I realized then I should be facing this pandemic the same way my friends face their recovery: one day at a time. I still didn’t know how long this would last, but I knew I had a group of women to lean on, even when I couldn’t see them in person.

Despite the many changes in the past few weeks, the women of Charlford House remain energetic, warm, and hopeful. A consistent beacon of light in a difficult time, Charlford House upholds the love and compassion it’s known for, even through unforeseen challenges. I don’t know when I’ll return to my office there, but I know I will one day soon.

With 50 years of experience supporting women, it’s clear that Charlford House is capable of continuing to offer a sense of home to staff and alumnae alike, regardless of physical limitations. I’m confident this will be an opportunity for us to explore new ways of connecting our women, fundraising, and engaging our supporters. We’ll come out even stronger in the end. As we face this one day at a time, we will continue to save lives, one woman at a time.

Now more than ever, we need your support. Please consider making a donation to Charlford House by visiting charlfordhouse.ca/donate. Donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

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