Events, By Category and Date:

Free public screening followed by moderated, expert-led discussion about opioid use disorder and related health and social issues.
Mon. 11 Jun 2018 (6:00PM-8:45PM)
Paul O'Regan Hall│Halifax Central Library│5440 Spring Garden Rd.
Come early, seating is limited. No reservations.

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Synopsis

The hardscrabble existence of two homeless, young people living with opioid use disorder is portrayed with sensitivity and brutal honesty in the debut feature by Nova Scotia director, Ashley McKenzie.

Moderator: Tim Krahn (Research Associate, Novel Tech Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS).

Facilitators

Chris Clayton is a Peer Navigator Coordinator who is also presently working on the Law Foundation project at Mainline Needle Exchange. Mainline is a health promotion organization in Halifax dedicated to supporting people through harm reduction programs. Chris became a fixed structure there, first as a client and then as an outreach worker. His many years of addiction led to incarceration, and upon release hespent his time constructively rather than destructively and decided the best course of action was methadone treatment. Chris grew up in Halifax’s north end and has strong community roots. He has proven to be a strong role model for many in the community who struggle with addiction and the challenges of street life. Read further about Chris and his work found in this article by Julie Lawrence: "'I know them because I am them:' How Chris Clayton helps addicts."

Karen Foster is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology, and holds the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Rural Futures for Atlantic Canada. Her current research includes a project on occupational succession in rural families (which involves a documentary and photography component) and another on the intersections of citizenship, the work ethic and employment in rural places. Her past research includes studies of marginalized young people in Ottawa, youth outmigration from Atlantic Canada, precarious employment, intergenerational relations at work, and the meaning and measurement of 'productivity' in Canada. Karen serves on the advisory board of the Centre for Local Prosperity and was a founding member of Basic Income Nova Scotia. 

Robert Strang is Chief Medical Officer of Health in Nova Scotia. As CMOH, he has provided leadership around the renewal of the public health system in Nova Scotia as well as raising awareness around the importance of creating policies and environments that support better health for Nova Scotian families and communities. He is passionate about public health and has worked with non-government organizations such as Smoke Free Nova Scotia, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Public Health Association of Nova Scotia. He is a co-chair of the The Pan-Canadian Public Health Network's Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses.

Sherry Stewart is a Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, and Community Health & Epidemiology at Dalhousie University, a Canada Research Chair in Addictions and Mental Health, and a licensed clinical psychologist in the province of NS. Sherry is also Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Gambling Issues and Associate Editor for Addiction. She has three decades of experience in researching the role of psychological factors in contributing to addictive behaviors and comorbid emotional disorders. Sherry has a particular interest in coocurring emotional disorders and addictions in women. She has published extensively on topics related to addiction, mental health, and their inter-relationships. Link here to her Mood, Anxiety, and Addiction Co-morbidity (MAAC) lab to find out more about her team's work.

Possible topics for discussion

• opioid use
• addiction
• clinical practice guidelines
• comorbidities
• coping
• housing
• poverty
• prejudice
• prescription drug misuse
• prescription monitoring
• public health
• rural futures
• scientific research
• social justice
• social responsibility
• stigma
• substance abuse
• treatment services

Recommended Reading

• McPhee, J. (9 June 2018). Film tour for Werewolf sparks discussion on addiciton. Chronicle Herald. 
• Reeder, M. & McNutt, R. (8 June 2018). Perspective on the opioid crisis. Dal News.
• Henderson, J. (7 June 2018). Werewolf, naloxone, and education: Nova Scotia addresses opioid deaths. Halifax Examiner. 
• Herder, M. (5 Apr 2018). Responding to the opioid epidemic. Impact Ethics.
• CMAJ. (5 Mar 2018). New national guideline sets out best practices for treating opioid addiction. Canadian Medial Association Journal.
• MacLean, A. (3 Feb 2017). New opioid guidelines aim to alleviate Canada-wide addiction: NS doctor. Global News.
• Philpott, J., & Hoskins, E. (19 Nov 2016). Joint Statement of Action to Address Opioid Crisis. Government of Canada.

Movie Reviews

• Anonymous. (7 Mar 2018). Werewolf. Critics Round Up. 
• Kenny, G. (28 Feb 2018). Review: in 'Werewolf,' a drug-addicted couple struggle to stay clean. New York Times.
• Ebiri, B. (27 Feb 2018). Ashley McKenzie's "Werewolf" finds a fresh, moving angle on the lives of addicts. The Village Voice. 
• D'Angelo, M. (27 Feb 2018). Addiction is the real monster of Werewolf, a striking addition to the junkies-in-love genre. AV Club. 
• Bowen, C. (25 Feb 2018). Werewolf. Slant Magazine.  
• Nayman, A. (n.d.). Werewolf (Ashley McKenzie, Canada)—Discovery. Cenma Scope.  
• Hertz, B. (1 Jun 2017). Review: Werewolf is one of the summer’s best movies. The Globe and Mail.
• Wilner, N. (1 Jun 2017). Werewolf is one of the best Canadian films you'll see this year. NowToronto. 
• Roberts, J. (24 Mar 2017). Introducing the fearless Ashley MacKenzie.The Globe & Mail.
• Mintzer, J. (10 Feb 2017). ‘Werewolf’: Film Review│Berlin 2017. Hollywood Reporter. 
• Funk, K. (13 Jan 2017). The Werewolves and the destroyers. A conversation between Canadian filmmaker Ashley McKenzie and Kevan Funk. TIFF.net.
• Leydon, J. (20 Sept 2016). Film review: 'Werewolf'. Recovering addicts trudge through the drudgery of their hard-scrabble lives in Ashley McKenzie's debut feature. Variety.
• Schobert, C. (12 Sept 2016). 'Werewolf' is an intoxicating debut feature by Ashley McKenzie [TIFF review]. ThePlayList.net.
• Mobarak, J. (9 Sept 2016). Werewolf - TIFF 2016 review. TheFilmStage.com.
• Murthi, V. (29 Aug 2016). 'Werewolf' exclusive clip: two methadone addicts struggle with isolation in small town. IndieWire.