Special Screenings of US AND THEM Offer Insight into Growing Fentanyl & Homelessness Crisis
[1 May, 2017 – Halifax NS] After a series of prominent screenings across Western Canada and the prairies, filmmaker Krista Loughton is bringing her much-talked about documentary on chronic homelessness, US AND THEM to the Maritimes for three special public showings, sponsored in part by local United Ways. The film will also be screened to policy makers during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Annual Congress in Halifax on May 2-4.
When US AND THEM was first filmed, Krista Loughton’s main ambition was to get Canadian’s talking about the struggles of homelessness and drug abuse, in order to grow compassion for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Krista knew that getting people to talk about mental health and addiction would be the first step to removing the stigma that many Canadians suffer silently with, and would be the catalyst to creating real change.
While Krista’s goal of starting genuine conversations about the state of Canada’s mental health and homelessness services has been met, now is the time for our Federal and Provincial governments to take action. With British Columbia’s fentanyl overdose epidemic spreading to the rest of the country, Canada needs to implement a plan that will protect communities from this flood of tainted drugs.
"If there was ever a time when the general public needed to see this film, it’s now. With fentanyl and its brutal twin carfentanyl contaminating street drugs of all sorts, it’s more important than ever for people to understand why addiction is a public health issue, not a criminal issue. US AND THEM influences a change in thought about the root causes of addiction and chronic homelessness. Helping to remove stigma will increase support for controversial solutions such as safe injection sites and prescribed heroin treatment, which will save lives in all communities.” – Krista Loughton
In addition to its upcoming Maritimes screenings, US AND THEM is set to make its parliamentary debut in June, when it will be screened on Parliament Hill to sitting members of government. It is Krista’s hope that because of the interest shown towards the film by various members of government, that services for Canada’s most at risk individuals will be improved.
For more information, visit usandthemthefilm.ca/screenings
Krista Loughton will be available for interviews in anticipation of these screenings.
Screening Details:
Date & Time: May 5, 7:00PM – 9:30PM
Location: Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2158 Gottingen St, Halifax NS
Ticket Information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/us-and-them-halifax-tickets-34056193993
Date & Time: May 9, 3:00PM – 5:30PM
Location: University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Rm 242 Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Charlottetown PE
Ticket Information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/us-and-them-charlottetown-tickets-34055709544
Date & Time: May 11, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: Community Peace Centre, 22 Church Street, Moncton NB
Ticket Information: http://www.gmsenbunitedway.ca