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Crackdown : surviving and resisting the war on drugs / by Mullins, Garth,author.;
"Garth Mullins was born partially blind and with Albinism into a world too bright for him to fully see and too unforgiving to fully accept him. Growing up, he was often bullied, by both students and teachers, who mocked his appearance and trivialized his disability. But Garth found strength and purpose in anti-fascist activism and punk rock, a scene that accepted him for who he was and offered an escape from the malignant drudgery of his suburban Vancouver neighbourhood. He also found solace in heroin, spurring an addiction that would span three decades. Garth's own experiences as a heroin user, complete with dope sickness, incarceration and overdose, is a common story for those struggling with heroin and opioid addictions. And for Garth, it was this realization, while fighting his addiction, that led him to drug activism. He had seen first-hand the failure of abstinence-based recovery programs, the fatal threat posed by unsafe drug supplies, the over-representation of drug users, particularly Black and Indigenous users, in jails and prisons. And he saw that far from the government being successful in its attempt to curb drug use, its war against drugs had been a deadly failure. Weaving together Garth's raw and intimate account of his own addiction with the broader issues and history surrounding drug treatment and policy, Crackdown challenges the received wisdom of how best to treat addiction and ensure the safety of drug users."--
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Personal narratives.; Mullins, Garth.; Addicts; Heroin abuse; People with albinism; People with visual disabilities; Recovering addicts;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 2
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Life is a lazy Susan of sh*t sandwiches / by Welch, Jennifer,author.; Sullivan, Angie,author.;
From the beloved hosts of the hit podcast I've Had It , an honest, irreverent and inspiring guide to overcoming life's unexpected challenges and finding joy, stability and humour in today's chaotic world, for fans of Big Friendship and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Long before their blockbuster podcast, I've Had It, Jennifer Welch and Angie "Pumps" Sullivan were simply two best friends, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. Together they've celebrated family milestones and cheered on professional successes, but they've weathered the storms together too. When Jennifer's husband battled alcoholism and drug addiction, she turned to Angie for support. When Angie's own marriage began to crumble, she turned to Jennifer. And crucially, through it all they've kept one another laughing in stitches. For the first time, Angie and Jennifer open up about the most personal moments that shaped their worldviews, sharpened their humour and inspired the "hopeful cynicism" that underpins their I've Had It podcast. Using their friendship as a roadmap, Jennifer and Angie share the wisdom that got them through life's biggest challenges and the lessons they've absorbed along the way. From infidelity, addiction and sobriety to economic instability, struggles with self-worth and brushes with fame, they've seen it all, and they're here to help guide readers on their own journeys, showing us how we too can centre our lives around humour, hope and connection and let go of the rest.
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Female friendship.; Self-actualization (Psychology);
Available copies: 0 / Total copies: 1
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From the ashes : my story of being Métis, homeless, and finding my way / by Thistle, Jesse,author.;
"From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up. Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, but their tough-love attitudes meant conflicts became commonplace. And the ghost of Jesse's drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. One day, he finally realized he would die unless he turned his life around. In this heartwarming and heartbreaking memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful experiences with abuse, uncovering the truth about his parents, and how he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family through education. An eloquent exploration of what it means to live in a world surrounded by prejudice and racism and to be cast adrift, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help one find happiness despite the odds."-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; Thistle, Jesse.; Métis; Addicts; Homeless persons;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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From the ashes : my story of being Métis, homeless, and finding my way [Book Club Set] / by Thistle, Jesse,author.;
"From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up. Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, but their tough-love attitudes meant conflicts became commonplace. And the ghost of Jesse's drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. One day, he finally realized he would die unless he turned his life around. In this heartwarming and heartbreaking memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful experiences with abuse, uncovering the truth about his parents, and how he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family through education. An eloquent exploration of what it means to live in a world surrounded by prejudice and racism and to be cast adrift, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help one find happiness despite the odds."-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; Thistle, Jesse.; Métis; Addicts; Homeless persons;
Available copies: 21 / Total copies: 21
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Growing up Getty : the story of America's most unconventional dynasty / by Reginato, James,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."Oil magnate J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, is the patriarch of an extraordinary cast of sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While some have been brought low by mental illness, drug addiction, and one of the most sensational kidnapping cases of the 20th century, many of Getty's heirs have achieved great success. In addition to Mark Getty, a cofounder of Getty Images, and Anne G. Earhart, an award-winning environmentalist, others have made significant marks in a variety of fields, from music and viniculture to politics and LGBTQ rights. Now, across four continents, a new generation of lively, unique, and even outrageous Gettys are emerging, and not coasting on the dynasty's still-immense wealth. August Getty designs extravagant gowns worn by Katy Perry, Cher, and other stars; his sibling, Nats-a fellow LGBTQ rights activist who announced his gender transition following his wedding to transgender icon Gigi Gorgeous-produces a line of exclusive streetwear. Their fascinating cousins include Balthazar, a multi-hyphenate actor-director-DJ-designer, and Isabel, a singer-songwriter-MBA candidate. A far-flung yet surprisingly close-knit group, the ascendant Gettys are bringing this iconic family onto the global stage in the 21st century. Through extensive research, including access to J. Paul Getty's diaries and love letters, and fresh interviews with family members and friends, Growing Up Getty offers an inside look into the benefits and burdens of being part of today's world of the ultra-wealthy"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Getty family.; Children of the rich; Millionaires;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Cravings and addictions : free yourself from the struggle of addictive behavior with acceptance and commitment therapy / by Karekla, Maria,author.; Kelly, Megan( Megan M.),author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Cravings-those intense desires for certain substances or behaviors with the aim of feeling pleasure and satisfaction-are at the root of all addictive behaviors. Knowing how to manage cravings is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of addiction and staying firmly on the path to recovery. This book offers practical strategies to overcome cravings-from food and drugs to alcohol and smoking-using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for a healthy, values-driven, and addiction-free life"--
Subjects: Acceptance and commitment therapy.; Substance abuse;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Saga boy : my life of Blackness and becoming / by Downing, Antonio Michael,1975-author.;
Antonio Michael Downing's memoir of creativity and transformation is a startling mash-up of memories and mythology, told in gripping, lyrical prose. Raised by his indomitable grandmother in the lush rainforest of southern Trinidad, Downing, at age 11, is uprooted to Canada when she dies. But to a very unusual part of Canada: he and his older brother are sent to live with his stern, evangelical Aunt Joan, in Wabigoon, a tiny northern Ontario community where they are the only black children in the town. In this wilderness, he begins his journey as an immigrant minority, using music and performance to dramatically transform himself. At the heart of his odyssey is the longing for a home. He is re-united with his birth parents who he has known only through stories. But this proves disappointing: Al is a womanizing con man and drug addict, and Gloria, twice abandoned by Al, seems to regard her sons as cash machines. He tries to flee his messy family life by transforming into a series of extravagant musical personalities: "Mic Dainjah", a punk rock rapper, "Molasses", a soul music crooner and finally "John Orpheus", a gold chained, sequin- and leather-clad pop star. Yet, like his father and grandfather, he has become a "Saga Boy", a Trinidadian playboy, addicted to escapism, attention, and sex. When the inevitable crash happens, he finds himself in a cold, stone jail cell. He has become everything he was trying to escape and must finally face himself. Richly evocative, Saga Boy is a heart-wrenching but uplifting story of a lonely immigrant boy who overcomes adversity and abandonment to reclaim his black identity and embrace a rich heritage.
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Downing, Antonio Michael, 1975-; Downing, Antonio Michael, 1975-; Authors, Canadian (English); Musicians; Musicians;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The hard stuff : a novel / by Gordon, David,1967-author.;
"Ex-black-ops-specialist-turned-strip-club-bouncer Joe Brody has a new qualification to add to his resume: an alliance of New York City's mob bosses has deemed him its "sheriff." In the straight world, when you "see something" you "say something" to the law. In the bent world, they call Joe. Still reeling from a particularly difficult operation, and having plummeted back into the drug and alcohol addiction that got him kicked out of the military as a result, Joe has just managed to detox at the clinic of a Chinese herbalist when the mob bosses phone: they need Joe to help them swindle a group of opioid dealers (of all things). But these are no typical drug-ferrying gangsters. Little Maria, the head of the Dominican mob, has discovered that her new heroin suppliers belong to an al Qaeda splinter group, and that they're planning to use their drug funds to back their terrorist agenda. With Joe in command, the mob coalition must pull off an intricate heist that will begin in Manhattan's diamond district. At stake is not only their business, but the state of the world ..."--Publisher description.
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Drug traffic; Organized crime;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Silent witness. [videorecording] / by Armstrong, William,1954-; Burton, Amanda,1956-; Dennis, Tony.; Gemmell, Ruth.; Higgins, Clare,1955-; Hook, Harry.; McCabe, Ruth.; McCrery, Nigel,1953-; BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc.; British Broadcasting Corporation.; Warner Home Video (Firm);
Amanda Burton, William Armstrong, Sam Parks, Ruth McCabe, Ruth Gemmell, Clare Higgins.In the long-running, hit BBC crime thriller, forensic pathologist Dr. Samantha Ryan (Amanda Burton) risks her career and her life in four murder cases that hinge on grisly but confusing evidence. Did a Cambridge college professor die of head injuries or suffocation? Did a teenager perish at the hands of her lover or her stalker? Was a farmer's gruesome death an accident or retribution? And how to stop a drugs war if police are selling the drugs? Adultery, addiction, corruption and revenge cloud the facts, while Sam's personal life threatens her objectivity. Prepare yourself for a twisting, nerve-jangling ride through the powerful third season.PG.DVD ; full screen presentation ; Dolby digital stereo.
Subjects: Criminal investigation; Detective and mystery television programs.; Forensic pathologists; Forensic pathology; Pathologists;
For private home use only.
Available copies: 0 / Total copies: 1
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You'd be home now / by Glasgow, Kathleen,1969-;
After a fatal car accident that reveals Emory's brother Joey's opioid addiction, Emory struggles to help him on his road to recovery and make herself heard in a town that insists on not listening.LSC
Subjects: Brothers and sisters; Drug abuse; Self-confidence;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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