Episode 8: Kathryn Dunmore

Jenna and Kathryn worked together at the Canadian Red Cross as part of the national digital communications team. One of the programs they collaborated on was opioid harm reduction and prevention.

This raw and real conversation must be heard by many, as the opioid epidemic continues to grow across our country, taking lives and irrevocably impacting families and communities from coast to coast.

“My sister’s addiction went back several years. She had an operation and after that operation she was prescribed opioids. And she came to me and she said ‘I can’t go one day without one of these pills.”

I didn’t know what I was looking at at the time. I would do it entirely different if I knew then what I know now. But all I can do is talk about it so people can have the empathy when the person is still with you.

When you know someone has chronic pain – and she would tell me that – I would hear her, but I wasn’t really hearing her. I will always have that regret.
I can hear the words she’d say to me so clearly…and yet it’s been five years.

In that five years, I’ve learned a lot about addiction, about opioid poisoning. It’s scary how prevalent it is. They’re saying now it’s 20 Canadians a day are dying of opioid poisoning.”
Kathryn Dunmore

*L-R: Kathryn, Samantha and young Aidan*

About this Episode

Episode Title: Canada’s Opioid Poisoning Crisis: See the Person, Stop the Stigma with Kathryn Dunmore (S1E8)

Episode Summary: In this episode of Finding Avalon, host Jenna Barnable speaks with ally Kathryn Dunmore about her personal journey through the opioid crisis, the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of empathy and community support for recovery from substance use disorder.

Kathryn shares about navigating grief following the loss of her sister Samantha whose chronic pain disability led to opioid addiction. She talks about her commitment to raising awareness about Canada’s opioid crisis, with its undeniable links to lack of societal support due to ableism and its connection to the current homelessness epidemic.

This episode’s conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, education, and understanding in addressing substance use disorders, chronic pain disability, the prescription of opioids, and the impact a resulting addiction can have on individuals and families.

Takeways

Kathryn Dunmore is a writer and an advocate for addiction awareness.
The opioid crisis is a public health emergency affecting many Canadian families.
Kathryn’s sister Samantha died from opioid poisoning, leaving behind her young son
Systemic barriers to care and recovery, and stigma surrounding addiction can prevent open discussions and support.
Addiction is a disease that requires compassion and understanding.
Education on opioid use and its risks is crucial for prevention.
Community support plays a vital role in recovery from addiction.
Empathy is essential in addressing the challenges faced by those with addiction.
Personal stories can help dismantle stigma and promote understanding.
Raising awareness about addiction can lead to better support systems.
Living with empathy can transform societal views on disability and addiction.
“Addiction is a fatal disease. We need to talk about it and live with empathy.”

Listen to Episode 8 here

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