I am nothing. And as I share my idea, I want you to come into nothingness with me. Cuz only there can we discover everything.Eight years ago, I drank vodka for breakfast. I couldn't go a day without drugs or alcohol in my system. As you can imagine, I was quite a handful.At that point, I'd been diagnosed with everything. PTSD from violence, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, you name it, I had the t-shirt. And I really did try everything.medication, therapists, church, quite a lot. But still, I woke up ...

Toxic Drug Crisis Impact - The toxic drug crisis in British Columbia has claimed almost 15,000 lives since 2016 [1] - Unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for people in BC aged 10 to 59 [2] - A 2019 report indicated a 255% increase in overdoses among South Asians in the Fraser Health region, nearly a twofold increase compared to non-South Asians [4] Marginalized Communities - The crisis disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, particularly the South Asian community, due to systemic neglect [3] - Stigma and shame within the South Asian community hinder individuals from seeking help and sharing their stories [5] Fentanyl Crisis - Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, is a major contributor to overdoses, accounting for almost 80% of overdoses across Canada [10][11] - Fentanyl addiction requires medication and extensive support beyond what individuals can typically access [13] Community Support & Intervention - Soda (Students Overcoming Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Society of Canada) is a grassroots nonprofit addressing the toxic drug crisis's impact on the South Asian community [15] - Soda provides harm reduction training in Punjabi, Hindi, and English, connecting individuals with mental health and substance use services [16] Recovery & Lived Experience - Pervinder Singh's story highlights the transformative power of community support in overcoming addiction and inspiring others [7][21] - Lived experiences, like Pervinder's, should be recognized as expertise and integrated into policy and program development for cultural sensitivity [29] Data & Policy Recommendations - Advocate for better, accurate, and disaggregated data on populations differentially impacted by the toxic drug crisis [29]