Pleasure and overdose response: how people wake up matters
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 - 1 pm ET
Dr. Geoff Bardwell’s latest publication explores how the experiences of people who use opioids do not fit neatly into “good” or “bad.” While most conversations about opioids focus on risk, harm, and overdose, we also need to understand why people use opioids in the first place — including experiences of pleasure, relief, and euphoria.
In this webinar, Geoff will share findings from interviews with people who use opioids in Kitchener and Galt, Ontario, who spoke about getting high, overdosing, and “coming to” afterward. Geoff and community partners with experience working in and/or using supervised consumption services will discuss how context shapes people’s experiences of getting high, overdosing, and being revived.
A key focus will be why the way people wake up matters — including the difference between coming to with oxygen and support, compared to coming to after naloxone. In the context of supervised consumption services closing in Ontario and other parts of Canada, this conversation will explore what may be lost when people no longer have access to spaces where overdose response can be grounded in care, dignity, and choice.
Stay tuned for more information.
Watch the first 3 webinars in this series:
MySafe Final evaluation - Impacts of program closure Watch
Preliminary findings from SCS closure studies Watch
Stories of Sanctuary and Loss - experiences of SCS Watch
Lived and Living Experience of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Incarceration in Nova Scotia
Thursday, August 20th, 2026 - 12 pm ET
A new Nova Scotia report, developed in partnership with Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH), explores the intersecting experiences of mental health, substance use, and incarceration — and what needs to change.
In this webinar, members of the study team will share findings from interviews with people with lived and living experience, highlighting gaps in care, release planning, housing, and continuity between custody and community. The report includes 32 recommendations for action and calls for stronger collaboration across corrections, health, community services, and community-based organizations.
Come hear about the findings, explore the recommendations, and discuss what it will take to bring them to life.
Speakers: Dr. Laura Beach (Carleton University) Fern and Jessi - MOSH, North End CHC
More event listings coming soon!
Recordings of past Hot Topic webinars and past Research Spotlight webinars are available.
