Stigma in Intervention: Let’s Be Aware of It

Written by the Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (AIDQ) in collaboration with the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM — Quebec Node), this Flash Trends presents real-life case studies highlighting situations where stigma associated with the use of substances may have played a role in the management of health services, thereby affecting the emotional and physical well-being of people who consume.

This tool is intended primarily for professionals in the public health sector network. It can help raise awareness in other contexts, such as public safety (justice, prison and police), education and research (high school, college and university) and community (prevention, harm reduction, treatment and reintegration). These life stories are intended to reflect harmful behaviours and actions that contribute to stigma, discrimination, marginalization, and the emotional toll on these individuals. All of these arise because of a lack of knowledge related to substance use, prejudice, and value judgments.