Michelle Shewell is only 29 but has already lost nine friends to drug overdoses.
Based in Kimberley, the social worker has devoted her life to helping others and currently works in gambling addiction prevention, and harm services in the East Kootenays.
Shewell interviewed several of the participants in the Compassion Project, a travelling photography exhibition that aims to build compassion through increased awareness and understanding of opioid use.
She said many had experienced stigma and trauma throughout their lives, but continued to display selflessness.
“I felt inspired and grateful, they were sad stories but I was more impacted by having the opportunity to get to know them in that way and hear their story,” she said.
The Elk Valley Harm Reduction Collaborative received about 30 photos and narratives for Compassion Project, which was displayed at the Fernie Arts Station last Tuesday night.
“I was a typical person seeking pain relief and am now living with the consequences of self medication,” read one submission.
“Using is not always a means to get high.”
Submissions came from across the Elk Valley and as far as Invermere and Golden.
They represented a wide cross-section of the community – drug users, recovering drug users, families of drug users, police officers, health workers and the clergy, as well as, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, wives and husbands.
Shewell believes the decriminalization and legalization of illicit drugs, such as opioids, is the way forward.
“If I had my wish granted it would be legalizing substances so that they can be controlled and people can get the support that they need,” she said.
“If things were legalized, it would take the power out of the underground market.”
Donna Barclay is a public health nurse in Elkford and a member of the Elk Valley Harm Reduction Collaborative team.
She said drug use was prevalent in Elkford but not to the same extent as other communities.
“It definitely is out there,” she said.
Barclay hopes the Compassion Project will promote greater understanding within the community.
“People are crying out for help,” she said.
“They don’t want to be judged for what they’re doing, they just want to be understood.”
The Compassion Project has been funded by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and will appear in Kimberley, and Creston over the coming months.
Follow @ekcompassionproject on Instagram.