Author: Lindsay Dianne

At fifteen years old, my daughter is facing all the normal growth and growing pains that come with adolescence. It took me a while, but I’ve finally come to terms with my role through this stage of her life. I guess you could say that I’ve grown into it. Let me start by saying this:…

Believe it or not, I was a pretty sheltered kid. My mom taped stuff off the television without commercials and she taped over the parts that were likely to scare me. I wasn’t allowed to watch things like The Simpsons or Married with Children because the characters might influence me towards bad behaviour. I remember…

Sometimes the things we try to do go off swimmingly. It’s like we’re exactly where we’re meant to be, you know? Picture this, right? You’re getting ready to head to an event and the first outfit you choose out of your closet fits well and looks great. You feel like a million bucks. Your keys…

The rain is pelting my windshield with the same velocity that the thoughts in my head are bouncing off one another. I woke up today believing it was a new day. I woke up believing that the world was shiny and forgiving. I woke up today and told myself that it was my first day…

I spend a lot of time thinking. It’s nearly constant. When I speak of this to my mental health team they often tell me to get out of here *taps head* and get into here *gestures to heart*. If I’m being honest I don’t really know what that means or how to implement it. I…

Throughout our Global Perspectives on Indigenous Literature class, I had the distinct pleasure of becoming acquainted with a wide array of works created by Indigenous writers, as well as watching several Indigenous films. Some of these pieces gently touched my heart, some made me stew with anger and frustration, and some left me thoughtful and…

In 2019, there were a total of 3823 deaths from opioid overdoses in Canada, almost 1000 of which were in the province of British Columbia (Government of Canada, 2020). If drug prohibition was a successful means of controlling drug use within the population, these deaths may not have taken place. Research shows that the “war…

The prohibition of cannabis and other drugs in Canada began in 1908. Cannabis was legalized in Canada for personal use in 2018. In 110 years of anti-cannabis legislation, the government launched a campaign to stigmatize cannabis users with propaganda and false claims. Cannabis users and those involved in the production or sales of marijuana were…

I’m standing on the corner of Helmcken in the neon glow of Granville Street, looking to trade $100 of my birthday money for a fix. Out of respect for my family, I’ve taken the last two weeks of December off from getting high; after all, it was Christmas and I’m nothing if not thoughtful. The…

Wicked hands move with delight Swiftly and with ease I know it’s best that I don’t fight I drop down to my knees.  He spins me like a carousel Colours flying ‘round A sudden impact to my skull Vermillion on the ground  I don’t sob or move from here Spitting, he stomps away If I could somehow disappear I know I’d be okay  Shaking…