A B.C. man who was struggling with opioid use and jailed for bank robbery is seeking to debunk drug addiction stigma and says people struggling with it need not be afraid.

Christopher Lamoureux is about to begin studying to become a peer support worker at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. Lamoureux said he含羞草研究社檚 previously used illicit drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl and wasn含羞草研究社檛 thinking clearly when he robbed a pair of banks, a Tim Hortons shop, and was involved in a police chase near Victoria in September 2019.

He hopes his can be a cautionary tale.

含羞草研究社淢y frame of mind was out of being afraid, being alone, literally terrified,含羞草研究社� Lamoureux said when recounting the events. 含羞草研究社淓ven when I think about the nature of my recovery program, I guess, scared, devious 含羞草研究社� It was like wanting to run, wanting to hide, not wanting to come forward, not wanting to see. Having graduated from BCIT, working for the federal government, doing all of these things to try and better my life and there I was, in the worst state I含羞草研究社檝e ever been.含羞草研究社�

It was recently National Addictions Awareness Week and according to Lamoureux, there is stigma surrounding addiction, something he experienced shortly after being arrested. He was taken to the hospital, handcuffed, witnessing people staring at him thinking he was, 含羞草研究社渢his criminal that just wasn含羞草研究社檛 worthy of a life.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淭hey had no idea that I was employed with federal governments, I was employed by the community coast guard, I just hit a bump in my recovery 含羞草研究社� addiction is running rampant in our society today and addiction affects all walks of life,含羞草研究社� said Lamoureux. 含羞草研究社淕oing through the whole process of being admitted into [the psychiatric emergency ward], and being known as someone who struggles with substance misuse, you含羞草研究社檙e just looked at differently.

含羞草研究社淪ometimes the level of care that you get, it含羞草研究社檚 not equal to the care that you would get if you were not somebody who struggled with substance misuse.含羞草研究社�

When asked about breaking drug stigma, Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said the provincial government seeks decriminalization of people who use drugs. In addition, it has teamed with a number of organizations to help educate people.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e had some really strong partners, sports organizations,含羞草研究社� said Malcolmson. 含羞草研究社淭he Vancouver Canucks, B.C. Lions, who have partnered 含羞草研究社� recognizing that 70 per cent of toxic drug overdose victims are men and also the construction industry associations and organized labour have been particularly good partners with our government around social media campaigns and anti-stigma campaigns.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e got a really well-received TV commercial spot running right now, pointing out the discrimination that families and people suffering from addictions receive, relative to people that are facing other medical challenges.含羞草研究社�

Recovering substance users can relapse and according to Lamoureux, it is important that he stays focused and take 含羞草研究社渋t one day at a time.含羞草研究社� Among his work, engagement with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, community outreach with the aboriginal friendship centre in Nanaimo and work with the Patient Voices Network含羞草研究社檚 oversight and advisory committee.

含羞草研究社淭he reality is that I am an addict 含羞草研究社� what I do when temptations come up now is I talk about them,含羞草研究社� said Lamoureux. 含羞草研究社淎nd if I don含羞草研究社檛 talk about them, I know that they含羞草研究社檒l it含羞草研究社檒l result in a relapse. I attend meetings, I do stuff where I surround myself with supportive people who are in recovery. And I have to accept that there含羞草研究社檚 a certain path that I will need to walk for the rest of my life.含羞草研究社�

Lamoureux says people in the throes of addiction need to have the courage to come forward.

含羞草研究社淥nly in that place of surrender, are we truly able to heal,含羞草研究社� said Lamoureux. 含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 lots of folks who are experiencing it, who are in the shadows [where] the alternative is jails, institutions and death. We have to be able to rally together. It含羞草研究社檚 not a disease that we can battle alone, so my biggest piece of advice is reach out. There含羞草研究社檚 resources available and people who can help you along your path.含羞草研究社�

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