On episode 14, Garth Mullins, host of the award-winning Crackdown podcast, drew on his experience as a drug user and activist to discuss harm reduction and the overdose crisis, the challenge of distributing a safe unadulterated drug supply, defunding the police, the positives and negatives of British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot, starting a grassroots drug user activist group, and his new band Low Dead Space.
Episode six features a conversation with Andrea Charest, Executive Director of It Takes a Village in Listowel, Ontario. It Takes a Village is a people-oriented, money-free, shop and social initiative offering community members support with food security, access to resources, and assistance navigating systems such as court appointments, housing, and government support with a focus on being a welcoming and inclusive place to belong.
North Perth council approved a bi-weekly market to help address food security issues and allow Listowel residents to purchase produce sourced from local farms at cost or slightly more on April 11. However, not all councillors were on board with the decision.
A Listowel couple who immigrated from Ukraine to Canada a few years ago is spearheading a campaign to gather emergency supplies to send back to their home country. Anastasia and Igor Stadnik have asked It Takes a Village to help collect donations to aid Ukrainian refugees and those defending their country against the Russian invasion.
Recent increases in living costs have left It Takes a Village with less stock on its food bank pantry shelves. Donations are welcomed.
