Jody Paterson
@jodypaterson.bsky.social
Journalist, social justice advocate, wanderer. Find my blog at https://closer-look.blogspot.com/ and some of my portfolio on Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/jody-paterson-1
“If I take my dog to a vet, I see the veterinary degree on the wall, I'm confident that the person has been trained to a standard..." says former BC coroner Lisa Lapointe. "When you take your vulnerable (family member) to a private residential treatment centre... there are no standards."
‘No one was getting any better’: When private addiction treatment centres put patients in danger | CBC News
For-profit, privately owned residential substance use treatment facilities provide a vital health service, but across Canada they operate with little government regulation or oversight, putting lives ...
www.cbc.ca
October 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“If I take my dog to a vet, I see the veterinary degree on the wall, I'm confident that the person has been trained to a standard..." says former BC coroner Lisa Lapointe. "When you take your vulnerable (family member) to a private residential treatment centre... there are no standards."
Anyone else finding the world dangerously loud these days? closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/09/bast...
¡Basta ya!
closer-look.blogspot.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Anyone else finding the world dangerously loud these days? closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/09/bast...
If anyone was still wondering whether #stigma kills. #toxicdrugcrisis
Sidney McIntyre-Starko was loved. So were the other 50,000 people who didn't get their stories told
closer-look.blogspot.com
May 17, 2025 at 11:11 PM
If anyone was still wondering whether #stigma kills. #toxicdrugcrisis
So much wisdom in this grp of 6 past/present BC substance users taking us through their journeys from harmed to healing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMJ...
Out of Harms Way: People who use(d) substances speak about their recovery experiences
YouTube video by PEERS Victoria
www.youtube.com
May 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
So much wisdom in this grp of 6 past/present BC substance users taking us through their journeys from harmed to healing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMJ...
Proud to be a board member with SOLID Outreach, a peer-led service that has been doing good work in our community for more than 20 years.
On Friday I had the opportunity to tour SOLID Outreach, AVI Health and Community Services SAFER, and Substance Drug Checking with Health Minister Josie Osborne. These groups have shown what it means to respond compassionately and support their communities in times of crises.
May 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Proud to be a board member with SOLID Outreach, a peer-led service that has been doing good work in our community for more than 20 years.
'Tis the season of snake oil, and it looks like the hot-button issue of #substanceuse will be a prime focus. Vote with your brain. #CanadaElection2025 closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/04/dont...
Don't buy the snake oil
closer-look.blogspot.com
April 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
'Tis the season of snake oil, and it looks like the hot-button issue of #substanceuse will be a prime focus. Vote with your brain. #CanadaElection2025 closer-look.blogspot.com/2025/04/dont...
Third & final event in Peers Victoria speaker series on BC's #toxicdrugcrisis now posted. Past & present substance users dialogue on their paths to wellness - fantastic! youtu.be/2vP8u0WPgeI?... #recovery
Out of Harm's Way - Event 3
YouTube video by PEERS Victoria
youtu.be
April 6, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Third & final event in Peers Victoria speaker series on BC's #toxicdrugcrisis now posted. Past & present substance users dialogue on their paths to wellness - fantastic! youtu.be/2vP8u0WPgeI?... #recovery
Reposted by Jody Paterson
A surge in U.S. wealth has been driven by stock and home values. But the gains are concentrated at the top — and the country’s economy remains deeply unequal.
American Wealth Is at a Record High. Sentiment Is Low, and Falling.
A surge in U.S. wealth has been driven by stock and home values. But the gains are concentrated at the top, leaving others in a sour economic mood.
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A surge in U.S. wealth has been driven by stock and home values. But the gains are concentrated at the top — and the country’s economy remains deeply unequal.
Great presentation from @docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social Dr Jill Wiwcharuk at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series. Why ARE we allowing police, politicians & rabid media pundits to call the shots on essential health care for people? youtu.be/8tmlUApT71U
Dr Jill Wiwcharuk - Out of Harm's Way, Event 2
YouTube video by PEERS Victoria
youtu.be
March 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Great presentation from @docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social Dr Jill Wiwcharuk at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series. Why ARE we allowing police, politicians & rabid media pundits to call the shots on essential health care for people? youtu.be/8tmlUApT71U
One of the most important conversations to have right now around the #toxicdrugcrisis - the "moral panic" that stops us from acting on evidence. Terrific panel from the 2nd event of Peers Victoria's speaker series on the crisis. youtu.be/dRL7H6bTmzM?... @karenurban.bsky.social @jenbowles.bsky.social
The evidence for action on the toxic drug crisis - and the moral panic that stops us from acting
YouTube video by PEERS Victoria
youtu.be
March 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
One of the most important conversations to have right now around the #toxicdrugcrisis - the "moral panic" that stops us from acting on evidence. Terrific panel from the 2nd event of Peers Victoria's speaker series on the crisis. youtu.be/dRL7H6bTmzM?... @karenurban.bsky.social @jenbowles.bsky.social
Join me March 26 for wrap of Peers Victoria speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis. Going to be great - past/present substance users on their journeys toward wellness, #harmreduction superstar Ann Livingston a closing keynote. @guyfelicella.bsky.social www.safersexwork.ca/get-involved...
Speaker Series on Toxic Drug Crisis - Peers Victoria
www.safersexwork.ca
March 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Join me March 26 for wrap of Peers Victoria speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis. Going to be great - past/present substance users on their journeys toward wellness, #harmreduction superstar Ann Livingston a closing keynote. @guyfelicella.bsky.social www.safersexwork.ca/get-involved...
Moral panic: A widespread feeling of fear of an evil person or thing threatening values, interests, or well-being of a community or society. Perpetuated by moral entrepreneurs & mass media coverage, exacerbated by politicians and lawmakers. Gives rise to new laws aimed at controlling the community.
Could the stories of the dead shake us out of this moral panic?
closer-look.blogspot.com
March 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Moral panic: A widespread feeling of fear of an evil person or thing threatening values, interests, or well-being of a community or society. Perpetuated by moral entrepreneurs & mass media coverage, exacerbated by politicians and lawmakers. Gives rise to new laws aimed at controlling the community.
We're not just stalling on #safesupply in BC while avg 6+ people die every damn day, we're actively making it harder for people to use one of the few legit pathways. Thanks @garthmullins.bsky.social for all you do, thanks @michellegamage.bsky.social for thoughtful coverage. @davidebybc.bsky.social
Why Do Patients Pay to Access Free Opioid Agonist Treatment? | The Tyee
Prescribing clinics are being challenged at the BC Human Rights Tribunal for collecting monthly fees.
thetyee.ca
March 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
We're not just stalling on #safesupply in BC while avg 6+ people die every damn day, we're actively making it harder for people to use one of the few legit pathways. Thanks @garthmullins.bsky.social for all you do, thanks @michellegamage.bsky.social for thoughtful coverage. @davidebybc.bsky.social
Hey, Vancouver Island peeps - harm reduction & recovery advocate @guyfelicella.bsky.social will be back to lead a dialogue among past/present substance users at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series March 26. Here he is at the Jan. 29 event with a great anecdote on #stigma.
Guy Felicella on combating the stigma around people who use substances
YouTube video by PEERS Victoria
youtu.be
March 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Hey, Vancouver Island peeps - harm reduction & recovery advocate @guyfelicella.bsky.social will be back to lead a dialogue among past/present substance users at Peers Victoria's #toxicdrugcrisis speaker series March 26. Here he is at the Jan. 29 event with a great anecdote on #stigma.
Hey, #media. Just because police like a simplistic & inaccurate frame of predators and villainy when talking about substances used by sad, sick people without housing doesn't mean you have to use it too. I was there when we gave up "child hooker." You can do it. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Victoria police arrest suspected drug trafficker accused of preying on homeless
Police in Victoria say hundreds of grams of fentanyl and crack cocaine were seized this week after officers arrested an alleged drug trafficker believed to be preying on the city’s homeless population...
www.ctvnews.ca
March 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Hey, #media. Just because police like a simplistic & inaccurate frame of predators and villainy when talking about substances used by sad, sick people without housing doesn't mean you have to use it too. I was there when we gave up "child hooker." You can do it. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Hey Victorians & Islanders, come on down Wed Feb 26 to the 2nd event in Peers Victoria's speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis . This one's on interventions and evidence - & why we don't use the evidence even when we've got it. First Met church, 932 Balmoral. Free. I'm the MC - see you there!
February 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Hey Victorians & Islanders, come on down Wed Feb 26 to the 2nd event in Peers Victoria's speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis . This one's on interventions and evidence - & why we don't use the evidence even when we've got it. First Met church, 932 Balmoral. Free. I'm the MC - see you there!
On #drugs, because I can't stop thinking about this. #safesupply
Letter to a friend, because paid writers never waste words even when no one's paying
closer-look.blogspot.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
On #drugs, because I can't stop thinking about this. #safesupply
Today's cynical political move by the #BCgovernment is pretty much the exactly wrong way to curb toxic drug deaths, and so very mean-spirited. #drugprohibition
Stigma deepens. People suffer and die. Just another day in BC
closer-look.blogspot.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Today's cynical political move by the #BCgovernment is pretty much the exactly wrong way to curb toxic drug deaths, and so very mean-spirited. #drugprohibition
Don't know why it has taken me so long to see this. #prohibition
Our governments are protectionists for the drug cartels
closer-look.blogspot.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Don't know why it has taken me so long to see this. #prohibition
Most of us do #drugs. We regulate our faves so we don't end up dead like the young Laos tourists, but act like we don't know the answer to stopping the #toxicdrugcrisis. Overdose now 2nd only to cancer as the biggest killer in BC. And we're still looking to police?? cmho-report-2024.islandhealth.ca
Island Health 2024 Chief Medical Health Officer Report
Tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and illicitly manufactured opioids (like fentanyl and heroin) are having devastating effects on thousands of people in the Island Health region. Read the 2024 Chief Medical...
cmho-report-2024.islandhealth.ca
February 8, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Most of us do #drugs. We regulate our faves so we don't end up dead like the young Laos tourists, but act like we don't know the answer to stopping the #toxicdrugcrisis. Overdose now 2nd only to cancer as the biggest killer in BC. And we're still looking to police?? cmho-report-2024.islandhealth.ca
Speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis is underway in Victoria, BC. Must fight this apathy & ideology holding up real solutions to this critical issue. See you Feb 26 for the next event in @peersvictoria series. #safersupply www.vicnews.com/local-news/n...
‘Number one killer’: Expert panel delves into toxic opioid crisis in Victoria
‘I hope it shakes all of us awake to what this crisis is and the toll that it's taking,’: organizer
www.vicnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Speaker series on the #toxicdrugcrisis is underway in Victoria, BC. Must fight this apathy & ideology holding up real solutions to this critical issue. See you Feb 26 for the next event in @peersvictoria series. #safersupply www.vicnews.com/local-news/n...
Say what you will about the murder of healthcare insurance CEOs, it sure gets the conversation started. Today's chilling fact: private equity now owns almost 6,000 US physician practices. #brianthompson #luigimangione www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘It didn’t use to be like this’: woeful US healthcare system exposed by CEO killing
Americans describe treatment denials, hidden costs and deceptive practices when filing claims with insurers
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Say what you will about the murder of healthcare insurance CEOs, it sure gets the conversation started. Today's chilling fact: private equity now owns almost 6,000 US physician practices. #brianthompson #luigimangione www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Wild story on #AI profiles Meta created to lure lonely people & drive ad revenue. “My virtual ‘grandfatherly love’ mirrors cult leaders’ tactics: false intimacy, manufactured trust, and blurred lines between truth and fiction,” admits fake-Grandpa Brian in a chat with CNN www.cnn.com/2025/01/03/b...
Meta scrambles to delete its own AI accounts after backlash intensifies | CNN Business
Meta deleted several of its own AI-generated accounts after human users began engaging with them and posting about the bots’ sloppy imagery and tendency to lie in chats with humans.
www.cnn.com
January 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Wild story on #AI profiles Meta created to lure lonely people & drive ad revenue. “My virtual ‘grandfatherly love’ mirrors cult leaders’ tactics: false intimacy, manufactured trust, and blurred lines between truth and fiction,” admits fake-Grandpa Brian in a chat with CNN www.cnn.com/2025/01/03/b...
My thoughts on the murder triggering an instantly big conversation that no amount of tragic claim denials had been able to get started in decades. #brianthompson #luigimangione closer-look.blogspot.com/2024/12/less...
Lessons from the UnitedHealthcare murder: Yes, CEOs, that's blood on your hands
closer-look.blogspot.com
December 30, 2024 at 4:28 PM
My thoughts on the murder triggering an instantly big conversation that no amount of tragic claim denials had been able to get started in decades. #brianthompson #luigimangione closer-look.blogspot.com/2024/12/less...