There has been many changes to legislation these days with the new cannabis legalization; although no one I have personally spoken to has noted any immediate difference in the community or society as a whole. Of course, this is only the feedback that has been shared with me. When I ask someone about drugs the conversation turns immediately into the meth/addiction crisis that our city and province are continuing to battle. It remains to be a huge concern as I do not personally see much progress by our government towards addressing mental health, poverty, and addictions despite report after report. Weapons, theft, violence, sexual exploitation and methamphetamine continue to dominate our headlines.
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=44981
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mha/strategy.html
Some positive things that are happening in our community are the new Rock Education Center opening TBD. Smart Recovery program for anyone suffering from an addiction, or substance abuse, as well as their families/friends, being held at AFM every Sunday from 2-3pm. Great thing is you can join in anytime. Contact Antoinette Gravel-Ouellette for more info at antoinette2009@live.ca Did you also know that Noel Harding of the Brandon Boxing Club holds FREE classes “knocking out Addiction” everyday weekday at 3pm for anyone battling substance abuse? I’m told it is an amazing therapy!
Westman Families of Addicts continues to hold monthly meetings with Feb 12th being facilitated by Deirdra Taylor-John speaking about recovery from her perspective, March 12th by Antoinette and her therapy experience with Way of the Heart, April 9th with a Laugh Yoga session (no special skills required!!), and May 14th with Ang Griffith learning about Focusing therapy. You can contact me at anytime for more info on any of these support meetings. In addition to learning about caring for ourselves, we also continue to share resources, friendship and advocacy at our meetings, and on a day to day basis. I highly recommend joining our closed FB group! We also share a list there of folks that are willing to help and share their insights/experiences with other families.
The movie, Ben is Back starring Julia Roberts is coming to the Evans Theatre here in Brandon this month (Feb 2019)
We recently had a fabulous donation given to us by the fine folks at myphone.ca, our local Telus. Contact Brandon at the Corral Centre or Dane at the Shoppers Mall for all your phone needs! Shout out to Kristin Jette at Brandon Mediation who volunteered her time to teach us about Mindfulness, and holds public classes open to all at Inspire Yoga Studio every Monday at 7pm. Donations welcome.
