News

Counterprotesting: A Guide for Pride Defenders - a free webinar

Join us on Wednesday, March 13th, 7:30pm-9:00pm (AST) on Zoom for this free webinar! The Zoom link will be shared 1-2 hours before the workshop by email.

PEERS Alliance is offering PEI community members a free webinar presentation by Hazel Woodrow from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. This workshop will showcase their "Guide for Pride Defenders." Hazel will provide insight and strategies on how to effectively navigate and respond to instances of hateful and discriminatory protesters, including at pride-themed events. She will also explore how the Guide's suggestions can be applied to many other different anti-hate and anti-fascist demonstrations. There will be plenty of time for questions. Allies are most welcome!

Registration is required for this workshop! Register here.

Updates

A Warm Welcome To Our New Street Outreach Coordinator!

A huge welcome to Amber Hill (she/her), our new Street Outreach Coordinator! We're so glad to have Amber's skills, expertise, and experience on board at PEERS Alliance. We asked Amber a few questions to get to know her:

What are you excited for in your new position?

While harm reduction and outreach work are new to me, I believe that my previous education, training and lived experiences will be valuable in my new position as a Street Outreach Worker. I am excited to work directly with community members and participants to continue striving for social justice while working from a place of compassion through a harm reduction lens.

What is your favourite TV show?

I enjoy trashy reality tv of all kinds, but my all-time favourite show is The Challenge. I have been watching this show since it first aired in 1998 when it was drawing inspiration from both The Real World and Road Rules.

We are thrilled to have Amber on the team!


Lower-Barrier Drug Checking Service

PEERS Alliance is working with our partners at the Department of Health to implement a lower-barrier drug checking service using an FTIR Spectrometer!

What does this mean? Individuals who consume substances can connect with our Harm Reduction Staff to submit a small sample of their substance to be analyzed by a trained technician. FTIR technologies can identify the various components in a sample, including a percent range of active ingredients. Does your cocaine have caffeine? Your heroin have benzodiazepines? Let us tell you!

These drug checking services can identify impurities, unexpected additives, or substitutions, allowing people who use substances to make more informed decisions when it comes to their consumption.

Drug checking services play a pivotal role in harm reduction strategies, fostering open communication between service providers and people who consume substances. By prioritizing safety over judgement, drug checking services aim to minimize the negative consequences associated with drug use, promoting a more informed approach within the broader community. Ultimately, the integration of FTIR spectrometry in drug checking services operated by PEERS serves as a proactive measure to mitigate the potential harms associated with substance use.

Questions or feedback? Contact Tessa Rogers.

Programming

Kings County Rainbow Youth Club Update

King’s County Rainbow Youth Club will now be meeting on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 - 8pm at the Family First Resource Centre (140 Sackville Street, Montague). Please note the NEW LOCATION and new dates of the month! Any questions, contact rachel@peersalliance.ca.


Roots & Shoots is in Summerside

Are you a parent or caregiver of a transgender or gender-creative child? Join us at Roots & Shoots! This is a free support group for parents and caregivers of trans or gender-creative youth. We will be meeting on March 19 from 6 - 8pm, at 57 Central Street, in Summerside.

Register here!