All Episodes

April 4, 2017 54 mins

Reporter Drew Penner tracks down four very different but important perspectives on the evolving harm reduction movement. This episode will take you from the east coast of the United States to London, Ontario, to Vancouver's downtown eastside. And we'll even wade into the thorny topic of an illegal, but promising therapy. Harm reduction isn't for the faint of heart, but the stories we bring you today are empowering tales.


Producer and Host: Karla Stephens Tolstoy 

Co-producer, researcher, lead journalist, original sound design: Drew Penner

Music: www.soundcloud.com/frequencyhorizon (iTunes: www.podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frequency-horizon/id1127552995)

Song of the week: Jon Clever (aka Be Clever Beats) - Harm Reduction 

Cover image: Collage by Drew Penner of imagery from Kenneth Anderson, iamwilli.am, end_thewod, ann harkness (via Flickr).


In this episode you will hear from:

  • Dr. Arnold Washton, a substance abuse consultant to professional sports teams, foreign governments, the American Food and Drug Administration, and even the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, discusses his “drink smartly” program for problem drinkers. www.recoveryoptions.us
  • Randy Richmond, a London Free Press reporter covering that city’s efforts to bring forward a variety of harm-reduction measures to help sex workers, alcoholics and drug addicts. www.lfpress.com/author/randy-richmond
  • A woman working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
  • Tim, an ex-con and former substance abuser who has been taking plant-based hallucinogen ayahuasca as a way to improve his life.


Receive our newsletter, contribute show ideas and feedback by emailing: karla.tolstoy@standupspeakup.ca 

Support the show: www.standupspeakup.ca/give/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.