I Died Six Times … Let’s End the Stigma of Harm Reduction | Guy Felicella | TEDxWhiteRock

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  • čas přidán 17. 07. 2018
  • Giving people perspective from a lived experience that no matter what the odds are against an individual struggling in addiction, people do get better. People do get their lives and families back and do become productive members of society. When we remove the stigma of addiction and harm reduction and look at the individual with compassion, amazing things can happen!
    Guy Felicella grew up in a middle-class home in Richmond but fell into addiction at a young age. Guy spent thirty years in the repeated cycle of gang, addiction, treatment and jail. He spent nearly twenty years residing in the two-block radius in the Downtown Eastside and using many resources, including harm reduction, to keep himself alive. Today, Guy has escaped the grips of the turmoil that kept him suffering and resides in Surrey with his wife and two young children with multiple years of recovering and sobriety under his belt, working for Vancouver Coastal Health. Guy spent nearly his entire life suffering from the disease of addiction and now he is using his experience to change the hearts and minds of people and remove the stigma of harm reduction and drug addiction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Komentáře • 109

  • @openaidalliance
    @openaidalliance Před 5 lety +44

    Wow... really great talk with great examples of harm reduction. I love the comparison of bars/pubs as safe consumption sites... it’s spot on.

  • @oryxandcake
    @oryxandcake Před 6 lety +19

    Guy, you are incredible. Thank you for sharing and advocating. We need more people like you in the world!

  • @levilegroulx2204
    @levilegroulx2204 Před 6 lety +8

    Great talk. Very important right now to know the benifits of a harm reduction. Thank you Guy for your vulnerability.

  • @Dr.RBZultrarunningnewbie

    I have to be honest; I was closed minded to this idea about 5 years ago. Until a loved one overdosed and I really thought about the "what ifs and how can we save lives". And that resulted in my heart and mind expanding and being 100% in support of such facilities. This was an amazing presentation and shared lived experience. Thank you Guy Felicella.

  • @denisewozniak9196
    @denisewozniak9196 Před 6 lety +2

    This is a disruptive talk and a brave, sharing advocate. I have total respect for Guy and he rocks it here.

  • @cindiebrennan147
    @cindiebrennan147 Před 3 lety +3

    A very powerful presentation for Harm reduction. This has helped me with my understanding the difference between enablement and prevention of death. Thank you Guy. You are a powerful power of example for sure.

  • @MrToddramberg
    @MrToddramberg Před rokem +1

    Way to go Guy, great news to hear and see your doing great, and thank you for helping people understand harm reduction.i remember back when we were 14 surprised were still both here.

  • @christinac.2807
    @christinac.2807 Před 5 lety +4

    Best TEDx talk I've ever Heard - Thank you!!! ❤🙏❤

  • @shamoo44
    @shamoo44 Před 6 lety +2

    Great Ted talk by Guy. Well done. Thought provoking and great information and a powerful testimony!

  • @jestineburggraf
    @jestineburggraf Před 4 lety +1

    Amazing talk. Loved the way you explained harm reduction and the comparisons you used. This needs shared everywhere.

  • @lindinolte
    @lindinolte Před 4 lety +1

    such an important message. Guy is the best example of people changing for the better!

  • @carmenmcdonald9919
    @carmenmcdonald9919 Před rokem +1

    so happy for you Guy! I have some endearing memories of you back in the day and so glad you survived to spread the word xoxoxox

  • @susanmcfee9661
    @susanmcfee9661 Před 6 lety

    Way to go Guy! Keep up the great work. You are helping so many people.

  • @AnoymousUnionSoldier
    @AnoymousUnionSoldier Před 3 lety +4

    9:48
    Powerful. This is the essence of the “why” behind harm reduction.

  • @farhinali3946
    @farhinali3946 Před 2 lety

    Great points. Opened my eyes. Thanks for sharing.

  • @misslola089
    @misslola089 Před 6 lety +4

    Great talk, Guy! Keep it up!

  • @eleanorjaya4706
    @eleanorjaya4706 Před rokem +1

    Wow guy what a great talk. I’m from Australia & yes instead of putting a stigma on people with drug addiction more empathy & support is needed. Never judge a person because it can happen to you one day. I always say that any addiction normally starts with some trauma or pain occurring in your life, & then you are desperately in need of anything. I have suffered chronic pain the last 10yrs & are on meds & I hate when people say don’t take them, but of course they have never experienced the pain I have. I have been blessed with good dr’s & health management that hopefully I can control my life. The beauty of living in Australia is that our health system is good & not expensive like in the USA. There is plenty of help but more is always needed.I wish you lots of luck in your new life & thanks for helping others.

    • @qwmx
      @qwmx Před rokem

      Apathy. Addicts generally aren't interested in Empathy and sympathy. They just want to enjoy themselves and stay alive on their drug. If you talk to them on the day-to-day basis, you would know.

  • @borntobone
    @borntobone Před 5 lety +2

    This is of the very best videos I've seen. I completely agree.

  • @ktd8017
    @ktd8017 Před 6 lety

    Such an amazing talk! Keep it up Guy!!

  • @myfriendballooon
    @myfriendballooon Před 4 lety +2

    Guy, I've watched this video multiple times and I've been moved to tears every time.

    • @guyfelicella3868
      @guyfelicella3868 Před 4 lety

      Check out my newest Ted talk on safe supply.

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      @@guyfelicella3868 Why didn't you just put the link ?

  • @sandir6437
    @sandir6437 Před 4 lety +1

    thanks Guy, amazing presentation

  • @jonkeane2393
    @jonkeane2393 Před rokem

    I really appreciate you guys that run and operate “Ted Talks” and I love the people that speak on TedTalks… thank you for sharing yourselves, your stories, your life experiences and anything else with us…keep sharing your stories and making yourselves open and vulnerable for us all to see, grow and learn from, and personally, I will do my best to reciprocate. I’m convinced that programs like these, and people like us have anointing’s on our lives. And perhaps we obtained these anointing’s through much pain, suffering and hardships; but beautiful people we are & these anointing’s are more valuable and precious than Gold. We are living, loving, breathing, selfless examples of the beautiful struggle. Not perfect by a long shot, but such wonderfully, beautifully and brilliantly designed individuals/spirits that are ABSOLUTELY WORTHY of SO much LOVE!! Peace and hugs my brothers & sisters!

  • @haven33081
    @haven33081 Před 6 lety

    It was such an honor to meet you Guy! This is so important and THANK YOU!

  • @dualsportbandit
    @dualsportbandit Před 5 lety

    Excellent; Very moving, Guy.

  • @ginacheselka6086
    @ginacheselka6086 Před 2 lety

    Thank you soooo much for this. End the stigma how many more people have to die including my younger Brother I miss him everyday I also lost two best friends and countless ppl I went to high school with

  • @richardfletcher2805
    @richardfletcher2805 Před 4 lety +1

    Thanks Guy...Right too the point...

  • @AliensAnonymus
    @AliensAnonymus Před 2 lety +3

    Addiction knows no age, race, gender! People can not reach out in their communities because of the stigma that exists. Sadly theses people lose their lives. Do you view it with compassion or conviction? Spectacular. Thankyou ❤️ ✌️ 💐

  • @Roseycapricorn
    @Roseycapricorn Před 3 měsíci

    Excellent talk. Thank you

  • @Magnus_1996
    @Magnus_1996 Před 3 měsíci

    Powerful testimony.

  • @francesstone.writer
    @francesstone.writer Před 6 lety

    Great job Guy! I support all paths of recovery. Grateful harm reduction led you to be able to live a life of abstinence today ❤️

  • @lauracapps2613
    @lauracapps2613 Před 3 lety +2

    I only have one word to say Amen. Having said that I want to know how to bring that to Tucson Arizona

  • @laibababar9307
    @laibababar9307 Před 6 lety

    So proud of you Guy! Missing you at 159!

  • @amyneufeld1233
    @amyneufeld1233 Před 4 lety +1

    I sooooo applaud you.

  • @terimclaughlin1440
    @terimclaughlin1440 Před 4 lety +6

    600 lives saved in ottawa at one of our in 5 months not one death sence we opened at our sis!

    • @guyfelicella3868
      @guyfelicella3868 Před 4 lety +1

      My newest Ted talk is out.
      IS SAFE supply a viable option for the overdose crisis? Please watch.

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      @@guyfelicella3868 Why are you recommending new video but no link ?

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      It is strange that in any other city without these SCS there are not 500 deaths every five months. With 4% of the injections taking place why are there not 25x that amount of overdose responses by EMS every 5 months.
      For sure your statistics are made up .

  • @meso6658
    @meso6658 Před 4 měsíci

    Inspiration right there!!!

  • @brandyhuffman8672
    @brandyhuffman8672 Před 2 lety +1

    Yes I am a alcoholic, I was sober 5 years, and the pandemic hit, I relapsed, so yes its a everyday struggle!

  • @resilientrecoveryministries

    I love this. Thanks for your impassioned plea. My only qualifier to this is that for some people the legal consequences of drug addiction are a significant motivator for change. I've seen them come into treatment angry at the judge--and leave thankful that they got help. That said, I don't want anyone to die. I endorse harm reduction. Is there a way for legal consequences and harm reduction to coexist?

  • @janebayudang6526
    @janebayudang6526 Před 9 měsíci +1

    0:57 BC 4 people die everyday to a drug overdose
    1:31 program of harm reduction that saved his life
    1:42 what is harm reduction? Reduce harm
    2:07 examples of “normal harm reduction”
    2:34 why are supervised consumption sites controversial when health care is
    4:01 why is one socially acceptable and one is not?
    5:11 how death was reduced in vancouver with safe consumption sites
    6:00 understand obsessive disorder
    7:13 important
    6:36 withdrawal
    7:20 important
    7:52 how it changed ppl lives
    50% reduced
    8:41 young age of 12 started using drugs
    9:01 early story how he started using drugs
    9:41 early 20s
    10:05 kept him long enough to make the change 10:15 IMPORTANT PART
    8:13 harm reduction exist bc of addiction
    10:43 so focused on the substanc ethat we forgotten value of human life
    Stigma being a contributing factor?
    Hindering ppl from reaching out?
    12:24 how do u view drug addiction compassion or conviction?
    13:04 more empathy and understanding, compassion
    13:32 in order to combat, end stigma 14:00 dont be wuick to judge or dismiss it 14:13 it save lives remember you can’t save a dead addict

  • @vhendrickson2211
    @vhendrickson2211 Před rokem

    Spot on.

  • @iamalpharius9483
    @iamalpharius9483 Před 4 lety +2

    You have an amazing story my friend. The issue I have is that way too many people are making up stories like this to gain media and support for their organizations.
    I'm here in the Midwestern US and there is one guy here in SW Missouri who's story has changed over the years and he never even talked about opioids until the grant and federal money came into the field. Now hes become a major drug dealer in an area that no one has ever heard of him......lol. Hes doing this at the level of kingdom building and putting his name on a lot of things that he is changing things....and not for the better.
    End The Lies to gain clout.

  • @Lovelytsering
    @Lovelytsering Před 7 měsíci

    Proud of you😢❤

  • @natashad6052
    @natashad6052 Před 11 měsíci

    Amazing experiences shared whilst advocating harm reduction. True evidences come from lived experiences. Whatever people think otherwise, it is clearly based on ignorance.

  • @chriswhite8087
    @chriswhite8087 Před 6 lety +5

    Guy is one of my best friends, and has such a remarkable story to tell. Now he works for GOD! ( just ask him!) Please share this with anyone you think needs to here it, and those that you think don’t. ☯️🙏🏼❤️🌎

  • @johnfrehley3887
    @johnfrehley3887 Před 6 lety +1

    Utmost respect

  • @rjf3826
    @rjf3826 Před 3 lety

    Was in jail with this guy lots !!! Hope he's still doing good. His street name was Tony lol

  • @ryangorman2164
    @ryangorman2164 Před 3 lety +1

    This is a fantastic presentation. I really wish TED wasn't so obsessed with using the silly telemarketer headsets that make you listen to every breath and spit sound, though

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      You sure like to throw around the "obsessed" word a lot. Are you obsessed with saying obsessed ? As well a lot of things seem silly to you when you choose to disagree.
      I guess you figure everyone should do what you say , because everyone else is not as progressive as you are.
      Maybe you could be a technical advisor for Ted . You should call them up and offer your advice.

    • @ryangorman2164
      @ryangorman2164 Před 3 lety

      @@anthonymc6797 You can't debate me on substance. So you debate me on my choice of words?

    • @ryangorman2164
      @ryangorman2164 Před 3 lety

      @@anthonymc6797 You keep revisiting the same video on CZcams over and over and over. If that's not obsessed then I don't know what is

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      @@ryangorman2164 You have not made any points to debate. Your statement "You can't debate me on substance" has not been proven.
      You are upset my comments are all correct and you want me to stop because reality upsets you.
      Maybe you can as well give technical advice to CZcams and then you can put a limit on how many times people can be allowed to comment . Or perhaps sensor comments that you don't like.
      Because that upsets you.

    • @anthonymc6797
      @anthonymc6797 Před 3 lety

      @@ryangorman2164 You are correct , you don't know what obsessed is.
      I come here looking to debate and my approach is successful. You see . I have dragged you in and this method always works .
      However you have not been able to refute any of my statements.

  • @tenesiamason8044
    @tenesiamason8044 Před 3 lety

    But how?

  • @Fefe559
    @Fefe559 Před rokem

    My husband did too. 4 times. And then one day he died for real.

  • @Nan-59
    @Nan-59 Před 2 lety

    The Cops can't arrest the addiction of of a person!

  • @annleroux8629
    @annleroux8629 Před rokem

    Harm reduction does work for some .

  • @WattsEB
    @WattsEB Před 2 lety

    Watching all of the harm reduction content i can find. But it all plays the addict as the victim of something other than their own decisions.

  • @ginacheselka6086
    @ginacheselka6086 Před 2 lety

    COMPASSION ALL THE WAY

  • @anthonymc6797
    @anthonymc6797 Před 4 lety

    If you drink too much they bring you coffee. Maybe on television shows or movies .

  • @anthonybonnett9603
    @anthonybonnett9603 Před 5 lety

  • @WattsEB
    @WattsEB Před 2 lety +1

    and just like that. I didnt have a choice. But you did. Hard stop. And you made a poor choice. And now you want help. Just say that and you will win people over. trust.

    • @CherryDreamer96
      @CherryDreamer96 Před 8 měsíci

      Going cold turkey from Opiates is not a wise desicion

  • @matthewcammarano5357
    @matthewcammarano5357 Před rokem

    Here’s another one opioid assisted sites are insanity to the regular public who doesn’t do drugs. There’s no such thing as safe drugs. The fact that you’re on here even speaking about this makes me sad and I’m gonna pray for you.

  • @Karma-zx8qe
    @Karma-zx8qe Před 2 lety +1

    The stigma is never going to end cuz it's not just based on harm reduction, it's based on all the horrible things drug addicts do to harm other people in their quest to get drugs, more just in their own hateful jealous and Petty selfish minds and what they conjure out of them to do whatever they want in their entitlement and spite, and when they want, their propensity to do anything they to get what they want. Big difference

    • @AliensAnonymus
      @AliensAnonymus Před 2 lety

      If people were not having to scoure the streets for unregulated, overpriced, unsafe supply and the stigma removed. Crime would be barely existant. People and families would no longer suffer. This statement is tautological.

  • @galegrazutis964
    @galegrazutis964 Před rokem

    Harm reduction is just making life easy fir junkies!!!

    • @CherryDreamer96
      @CherryDreamer96 Před 8 měsíci

      What makes you think that people who use Harm Reduction services have easy lives ?

  • @Karma-zx8qe
    @Karma-zx8qe Před 2 lety +2

    How they justify their horrible acts in their delusional minds in denial...thats addiction for u...they are very dangerous... and if this guy thinks harm reduction so great and people don't really need to quit, why does he bother quitting? Why doesn't he just keep doing dope? If that's as good as recovery

    • @andresalejandro9991
      @andresalejandro9991 Před 2 lety +1

      Wow. You seem to be very wise. Where did you get your education on neuropsychopharmacology?

    • @galegrazutis964
      @galegrazutis964 Před rokem

      ABSOLUTELY agree!!

    • @racheljones9808
      @racheljones9808 Před 10 měsíci +1

      Notice, he never said that people shouldn't quit, just that safe injection sites help keep people alive long enough that they can access supports and go through the recovery process. If we value life, and want to help people live long, meaningful lives, we need to make sure the drugs don't kill them and we need to help them access rehab services. Safe injection sites do both.

  • @anthonymc6797
    @anthonymc6797 Před 4 lety

    If you have an allergy to a certain food . Keep eating that food and look at everyone else to do something .Or keep eating that food and take medicine for it . Things will work out fine. LMFAO.
    I wonder why this is the least viewed Ted in history .