When: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022 6PM-7PM Where: ONLINE VIA ZOOM (link will be shared once you have registered) COST: FREE This presentation will help RNAO members understand why decriminalization is an important part of harm reduction to prevent overdose deaths. We are so fortunate to have Michael Parkinson as our guest speaker. Michael is a nationally recognized expert in drug-related issues, and through his work with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council was perhaps the first in Canada to flag the emergence of bootleg fentanyl as a serious threat to public health and safety. Michael’s work trained thousands of people in overdose prevention, provided life-saving research and policy opportunities to governments at all levels, non-governmental stakeholders, citizens, public health units, police services, medical entities etc. Michael established and led several multi-sectoral strategic networks and participated in hundreds of media interviews to advance progress as the predicted - and preventable - mass poisoning crisis unfolded in real time. Michael was instrumental in facilitating the provision of ‘take home naloxone’ into Ontario’s public health units, pharmacies, correctional facilities, select hospitals and more. Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act grew from his WRCPC desk here in Waterloo region, as did Waterloo region’s only ‘safe supply’ program, among other initiatives, that are making a positive difference for individuals and communities today. He is currently a candidate for Waterloo Regional Council.